A newe pathway vnto praier ful of much godly frute and christe[n] knowledge, lately made by Theodore Basille.

The pathewaye vnto Prayer .

¶ What prayer is .

¶ The fyrste Chapter .

PRayer after the common diffinicion of the Doctors , The diffinicion of prayer . is a lyftinge vp of a pure mynde to God , wherein we aske somewhat of hym .

This diffinicion of prayer semeth vnto me so godly & in euery parte agreable to the holye scriptures that I thyncke it my bounden dutye to search out euery word of it in order , & to compare it wyth the moost sacred Scriptures , & the sayenges of the auncient Doctors .

Fyrste it teacheth vs that prayer is a lyftynge vppe of a pure mynde . Note fyrst of all that he sayeth , a liftynge vp , Lyftynge vp , what at signifyethe . What other thynge meaneth this worde , lyftynge vp , than to shewe that who soeuer entendeth to praye , must vtterly seclude & put out of his herte all vayne cogitaciō● & wordly thoughtes , all carnall fantasies , all vngodlye ymaginacions , to conclude al such thynges as might make the herte of hym that prayeth to crepe vpon the grounde , to alienate & estraung his mynde from the meditacion of celestiall & deuyne matters ? And this is the very same thing that Christ teacheth in the Gospell of Mathewe , Math. vi . where he sayth : Whan y● prayest , thou shalte not be lyke to the Hypocrites . For theyr manner is to stonde prayenge in the Synagoges & in the corners of the stretes , that men maye se them , Certes I saye vnto you they haue theyr reward . But wha● thou prayest enter into thy closet , & when y● hast sparred thy dore , praye to thy father whiche is in secte●e , & thy father which seeth in secrete , shal ●eward the openly . In theyse wordes Christ doth not only rebuke the false & ●ayned maner of prayenge , whiche the Hypocrites vse huntyng only after vayne glory , & sekyng the prayse of men more then the glory of God & the health of theyr owne soules , but he also declarethe howe we shall prepare our selues for to pray , that we maye be hearde . He commaundeth vs to enter into oure closet , & to sparre our dore . What other thynge meaneth Christe by this , but that , as I haue sayde before , we should expulse all temporall thynges out of our hartes , whansoeuer we entend to pray , & haue our myndes altogyther set vpon celestiall & heauenly thynges ? Mark wel & followe . Therfore ought so many as entend to praye with fruyte to seke an occasion to be seguestred from all temporall affaires & from the troubles of worldely thynges , whiche myght be an impediment to them in theyr holy meditacions , & so to be free from all externall & mundane thynges , that theyr prayer in dede maye be a very lyftynge vp , according to the begynnynge of our diffinicion .

¶ The second Chapter .

ANd that this thynge maye the more conueniently be brought to passe , it shal be expedient for such as intende to exercyse prayer to repose them selues and to sette theyr hertes quiette from all the troubles of the worlde , yea & to subduce & conuaye them selues from the company of the worldely people into some secrete & solitarye place for the tyme of theyr prayer , that they maye the more frely gyue theyr myndes to deuout & holy meditacion , as the maner of many holy men was in times paste . Examples haue we of dyuers in the holye Scripture , whiche vsed this trade . The gospel sheweth how Christ was won● many tymes whē●e would praye to go into the feldes ●nd ther beyng alone vpon a moun●ayne vtterly secluded from all other ●ompany , Luke . vi . to perseuer & continue in ●he prayer of God al the whole night . Agayne a lytle before his passion we ●ead that he entendynge to pray vnto his celestiall father forsoke the cō●any of other , Mat. xx●● . yea and although he ●oke with him only thre of his disciples at that instant . Peter , Iohn , & Iames , yet notwithstandynge whā●e was in the mount of Oliuete , the accustomed place of hys prayenge , he ●ent awaye from them also aboute a ●ones cast , & he kneling downe , prai●d so hertely & so longe to God his father , that for very anguysh , payne & ●orow the sweat of his moost blessed ●ody was euen as the droppes of bloud ●unnynge downe vpon the earthe . Act. x. Peter also beyng in the house of Simon the Tanner went vp into the vpper parte of the house to praye , tha● he myght not be troubled with y● othe● company . ●ii . Re. iiii . Helyseus also , whan he shul● pray to God for a certayne chylde● was deade , went alone into the chamber , where the chylde laye , & sperre● the dore & so prayed . ●ob . 〈◊〉 . Agayne Sar● the doughter of Raguell , desyryng● to be delyuered from them improper● & imbraydyng , as it would appere , of a certayne default , wherwith on● of her fathers handmaydens dyd imbrayd & caste her in the teth , forsoke all company , & went streyght into an● vpper chamber of her house , & ther beyng alone , dyd nether eate nor drinke by the space of thre dayes & thre nightes , but continued in prayer , & beseched God euen with teares the he would delyuer her from this imbraydyng & rebuke . Iu. x. xii . Iudith in lyke maner , whan she should put herselfe in ioperdy for the helth of her people , went fyrst in to her Oratory & secrete place , wher ●he was wonte to praye , & so desyred the helpe of God . At certayne other tymes also before she slewe Holofer●us she went forth in the night time for to praye quietly by herselfe . Quene Hester also puttinge of her Pryncelike garmentes , Hest. xiiii . prayed for her people to God secretely in her chamber . Agayne Daniel , Dau. vi . when certayne Dukes & Earles for the hatred and euell wyll that they bare vnto him , had caused kynge Darius to make an Acte that who soeuer asketh any Peticion of theyr God , yea or of ony man but of the Kynge alone for the space of thy● tye dayes , he shoulde be cast into the denne of Lyons , ceased not to praye for al the Acte of the kyng , but styll as he was wont to do , praied boldely to his LORDE God , beyng in his chamber secretely by himselfe alone . Thus se we that both Christ● & other holye men also , sought euermore an occasion to be quiet & sollitary , that they myght the more ●●●ly talke with God in theyr prayer , & so came it to passe that theyr prayer was vnfaynedly a lyftynge vp .

¶ The thyrde Chapter .

Psal. xxi . IT is not without a cause the Prayer in the holy scripture is compared to a sweate perfume , whose nature is alwaye , yf it be once incensed or set on fyre , Prayde compared to a perfume . to lyft vp it selfe & styl to go vpward so long as it lasteth I● lyke maner the true & christen prayer ought to lyfte vp it selfe with deuynd contemplacion , & styll to go vp so longe as it lasteth with the medi●acion of celestiall thinges , & not to ●repe vpon the grounde with ●am● thoughtes & worldely ymaginacions . For so is that prayer no lyftyng vp of mynde or of him that prayeth , vnto heauen , but rather a thrustynge 〈◊〉 to hell , yea & worketh s●nne ● dam●nacion to hym that prayeth as the ●salmograph● sayeth : 〈◊〉 Oratio 〈◊〉 fiat in peccatum . ●f you be rysen agayne with Christ sayth S. Paule seke for those thynges the are aboue , Colos. iii. where Christ is sittyng on the right hand of God . Set your myndes vppon the thynges aboue & not vpon the thynges of the earthe . For you are dead , & your lyfe is hyd with Christ in God . Whan so euer Christ our lyfe shall appeare , then shall we also appeare with hym in glorye . So that not onlye prayer but also the whole lyfe of a Christen man ought to be a lyftyng vp , that is to saye , a feruent desyre & diligent sekyng of supernal & heauenly thynges . But let vs procede with our diffinicion . Hytherto haue we heard that Prayer is a lyftyng vppe . Wherof I praye you ? of handes or eyes ? Nay verely , but of a pure mynde . For as touchynge the ●yftyng vp of handes & eies , it maye ●lso be vsed so wel of Hypocrites as ●f true Christians . 〈◊〉 Therfore sayeth Chrisostome , De oratione thouhg thou doest not bow thy knees , nor knocke thy brest , nor strecthe oute thy handes vnto heauen , yet yf thou onlye shewe forth a ferue●●e mynde , thou shalte make a perfecte prayer . Note of externall gestures in Prayer . not withstandyng yf such thinges be done in time of prayer procedyng from the feruent & inward affeccion of the spirite , they are not to be discūmended . Psa. ●xxii . For Dauid sayth , I haue lyfted vp myne eies vnto the , which dwellest in heauen And S. Paule sayth , ● . Tim. ii . I wyll that men pray in euery place , liftyng vp your handes withoute wrath & contencion . We read also that Christe vsed to knele when he prayed . Luke . xxii . And the humble and poore Publicane knocked his breste when he prayed , Luke . xviii sayenge : O God be thou merciful to me a synner . Therfore as touchyng the external gesture & outward behauour , as the lyftynge vp of handes or eyes , the knelyng o● knockynge on the brest , in as muche as they are meane & indifferent thynges , they are to be lefte to the iudgement of deuout & well disposed people , eyther to be done or to be left vndone , as their mindes shal serue them . And for as muche as they pertayne nothynge to our matter , I wyll le● them passe & go forth with our diffinicion .

¶ The fourth Chapter .

PRayer , say the holy Doctors , is a lyftynge vp of a pure mynde . Theise wordes are not to be gone ouer wyth a lyghte foote , as they vse to saye , but depely to be weyed , & seriously to be pondered . For in them doth consist in a maner the whole efficacy , vertue , strength , power & pith of prayer . Prayer ▪ is ● wor● of the mynd . Fyrst we shall note the prayer is not the worke of the mouth , but of the mynde , yea & that not of a corrupte , flesshely , malicious & synfull , but of a pure , immaculate , clene , vnspotted , faithful & charitable mynd . But I wyll fyrst shewe by the scriptures & holy fathers , that prayer is the worke of the mynde accordynge to our diffinicion , & afterwarde somewhat declare of the purite of the mynd .

That prayer is the worke of the mynde , it is manifest by dyuers places of holy scripture . Exo. xiiii . For whan ●oses at the commaundement of God led the people of Israel out of Egipte , & Pharao with his cruell army followed , purposynge vnmercifully to slaye them , he beyng in great thought & care howe he myght safely condu●●● the Israelites , & yet styll trustynge & hauyng his whole affiaunce reposed in theyr LORDE God , prayed nothyng at all with his mouth , but only vttered his cause secretlye in his herte vnto God , & he was hearde . For the LORDE God sayd vnto him ▪ What cryest thou vnto me ▪ His cryeng was not the voice of the mouth , but the affeccion of the herte . He cryed with a pure mynde to God , & therfore was he hearde , though the mouthe kepte sylence . ● . Reg. i. In lyke maner Anne the wyfe of Helcana , when she had ben long baren & without fruyte , prayed God , that he woulde take awaye from her opprobry and shame , and gyue her chyldren , wich thynge she obtayned . And yet sayth the scripture she spake in her herte . Her lippes only moued , Luke . vii . but her voyce was hearde nothynge at all . Mary Magdalene also prayed , not wyth her lyppes & mouthe , when she wasshed Christes fete with the teares of her eyes , & wyped them with the heere of her head , kyssynge & annoynted them full tenderly in the house of Symon the Pharyse , she only lamented in her herte her synfull lyuynge & dissolute conuersacion , desyryng in her mynde to haue remission of her synnes , & she hearde this swete voyce of Christ. Her synnes are forgynen her , bicause she hath loued much . ●ea & immediatly after Christ sayde to her . Thy fayth hath saued the , Ioan. iiii . go thy way in peace . Christen also the selfe trueth & wisdom of his father sayd to the woman of Samaria , whan they talked togyther of worshyppyng God . Woman , beleue me , the hour commeth , whan neyther in this mountayne , nor yet at Ierusalem , ye shall worship the father . ●e worshyp that ye knowe not , we worshyp that we knowe . For helth is of the Iewes . But the houre commeth & nowe it is , whan the true worshyppers shall worshyp the father in spirite & trueth . For the father sekethe such that shoulde worshyp hym . God is a spirite , & they that worshyp hym , must worshyp him in spiryte & trueth . Here christ , Ioan. xiiii Titus . i. which is the very trueth & can not lye , sheweth vs two notable thynges . One that God his father is a spirite , another , that as he is a spiryte , so wyll he be worshypped in the spirite , Note . who perceyueth not than that it is the Spirite , the herte , the mynde , I meane the inwarde & spirituall man , that must worshyp God ▪ It is a common sayeng among vs , lyke wyll to lyke . And euery one desyreth suche as he is himselfe . Trueth it is . Now is God a spirite , therfore requireth he a spirituall manner of worshyppynge , which doubtles procedeth from the herte , & not from the stētoreous voyce of the mouth . The pure affeccion of the herte , & not the whysperynge noyse of the lyppes doth God requyre . God which is the searcher of the herte , seaketh to be worshypped in the herte , as he sayth by Salomon , Pro. xxiii . sonne gyue me thy herte . Moreouer S. Paule sayth , Rom. i. God is my witnes , whom I worshyp in my spirite . In my spirite , sayth he , and not in the vnfruytefull bablyng of my lyppes . Ephe. v. Agayne , Speake among yourselues in Psalmes , Hymnes , & spirituall songes , syngyng and makynge melody in youre hertes to the LORDE . Lostyll he maketh mencion of the herte , wyllynge that all prayses , songes & melody be done in our hertes to the LORD our God . As though he shoulde saye , all that euer is done without the herte , is vayne , vnfruytefull , yea & playne abhominacion before God , rather workynge damnacion then saluacion to the doers of it , as Christ sayeth : Mat. xv . This people honoure me with theyr lyppes , but theyr herte is farre from me . Uerely they worshyp me in vayne . Thus se we proued by the scripture , that Prayer is the worke of the herte , of the spiryte of the mynde , & not of mouth & lyppes . But let vs heare what the Doctors saye to this matter .

¶ The fyfte Chapter .

In oration ▪ Dom. Ad transismund . Lib. it . SAynt Cipriane the blessed martyre sayth , which Fulgentius also recyteth , that God is not the hearer of the voyce , but of the herte , neyther is he to be admonysshed with exclamacions & outecryes , whiche seeth the thoughtes , as the LORDE proueth & sayth , what do ye thinke wyckednes in youre hartes ▪ & in another place , All congregacions shall know , that I am the searcher of the raynes and harte , that is to saye , of the inward parte . Libro de Cain et Abel . cap. ix . Also S. Ambrose sayeth , take hede that thou doste not babble out rasshely the mysteries of the Crede , or of the LORDES prayer . Doste thou not knowe , howe greuous a thynge it is to heape vppe synne in Prayer , where thou trusteste to haue remedy ▪ Certes y● LORDE taught by the Prophet the this is a greuous cursse , Psa. ●viii . sayeng : His praier is become euen very synne . Excepte peraduenture thou recountest it but a tryfle to mistrust . It is surely a great incredulite and vnfaythfulnes to thynke thus of the power of God , that thou canste not be heard , Mark this wel . excepte thou cryest oute . Let thy worke crye , let thy fayth cry , let thy mynde crye , let thy passions and suffrynges cry , let thy bloud , as the bloud of holy Abell , cry , wherof god sayde to Caym , Gen. iiii . the voyce of thy brothers bloud cry vnto me . For he heareth in secrete , which maketh cleane in secrete . We can not heare a man excepte he speaketh vnto vs , but vnto God , not wordes but thoughtes do speake . Moral . lib xxii . cap. xviii . Agayne , S. Gregory sayth , vndoubtedly true prayer consysteth not in the voyce of the mouthe , but in the thoughtes of the herte . For our wordes do not make the voyces the more pythethy and valeaunt to come vnto the moost secrete eares of God , but our desyre and affeccions . Therfore sayth the LORDE in the Gospell : Enter into thy closet & sparre Mat. vi . thy dore . Note . He sparreth the dore , & prayeth in his closet , whiche holdeth his peace with his mouth , & powreth oute the affeccion of his mynde in the syghte of God aboue . Lib. de mag. i. Moreouer S. Austen ●ayeth : Thou knowest , I am sure , y●●t is commaunded vs for none other thynge that we should praye in our closettes ▪ being sparred ( wherby the secrete partes of the mynde are signifyed ) but that God seaketh not to be monyshed or taught by oure speakynge of that thynge , whiche we co●uyt that he shoulde gyue vs . For he that speaketh gyueth outwardely a sygne or token of his wyl by some articulate , playne & euidente sounde . But God is both to be soughte & to be prayed vnto , euen in the very secrete partes of a reasonable soule , whiche is called the inward man . For he wylleth that these be his Temples . Wherfore we nede no speakyng whē●●e praye , that is to saye , no wordes that shall make any sounde , excepte peraduenture as the prestes do , for to vtter theyr mynde , not y● God , but that man shoulde heare them , & wyth a certayne consent be drawen to contemplacion by remembrynge them . Here● to agreeth the sayeng of S. Jerome● In Epist. ●d Ephe. we ought , sayth he , to syng , to make melody , & to prayse the LORDE rather in mynde then in voyce . And this is it that is sayd , syngynge & makyng melody to the LORDE ● your hertes . Ephe. v. A good lesson for our musi●ions and ●haunters Let yong men heare these thyr●ges , yea let them heare , whose offyce it is to syng in the Chyrch , that they must singe to God not in the voyce but in the herte , neither must theyr throte & chawes be annoynted after the maner of Gameplayers with swete oyntementes , that in the chyrch syngyng more fytte for game places shoulde be hearde , but in feare , in worke , in knowledge of the scriptures ought they to synge vnto the ●ORDE . ●d Roma . Lib. vir . cap. v●●● . Drigen also sayeth , God in prayer doth not so much weye & ponder our wordes , as he doth the herte & the mynde ▪ For he it is , whyche searchethe th● hertes and the raynes .

Although I coulde reherse many no notable sayenges of these & other Doctors , Psal. vii . Sap. i. Apo. ii . Jere. xvii . which proue manifestly ye●rayer is not the worke of the mouth ●ut of the herte , not of the voyce , but ●f the thought , not of the lyppes but of ●he mynde , yet these at this present ●aye seme aboundantly to satisfye . ●eyther do I recyte the testymonies ●f the old fathers to confyrine & make ●ur matter the more stronge , which ●redy is sufficiently establysshed by ●he holy Scriptures , neyther nede ●hey the confyrmacion of any man●es doctryne , whiche of them selues ●ught to be beleued without hesita●on or doubtynge of the faythefull , ● asmuch as they be the Oracles & in ●llible speches of God , in whome al ●ecessary trueth for our saluacion is ●prehended , The cause of ●●hersynge the Doctors ● this ●oke & without the authori● wherof all that euer is taught or ●ritten , be but mere fantasies & h●●ayne inuencions : but I haue called the holy & catholyke Doctors t● witnes , bicause they reach the sam● thynge that the Scripture dothe , & t● stop the mouthes of certayne wycked & ignorant persons , which thick● no trueth to be trueth except by m●nes authoritie it be establyshed , an● that men seyng & hearyng the iudg●ment of such as are learned , should● be the more redy to cast away they● Hypocrisye & accommodate them selues to the true maner of worshyppyng● and prayeng to our LORDE God .

¶ The syxte Chapter .

VUell of these thynges thā● heretofore rehearsed is it easye to lerne that such as wyll pray to God with fruyte , must praye in herte , in spirite , in mynde , in thought , in affeccion , in the soule , in the inward● man , or els the noyse of the mouth , ● mumblynge of the lippes , the roryng● of the throte , the shakynge of the head the knockynge on the brest , the kne●lynge on the ground , & what soeuer canne be rekened more is vayne , vnfruytful , & nothyng to the purpose , rather bryngynge damnacion then saluacion , as we haue heard heretofore .

What is than to be thoughte of such personnes , which whan they are in the temple or els where , neuer leue ●ablynge , theyr myndes beynge vtterly drawen from theyr prayers , & altogyther set vpon transitory and worldely thynges ▪ Some streatche ●ut theyr prayers into an innumerable nomber of leaues , thynkynge so to do God an hygh sacrifyce . Agaynste the vayne beblers & supersticious worshyppers of saynctes Some also vpon theyr bedes taly vp , I cannot tel howe many Lady Psalters , ●heynge perswaded the by that menes they shall se our Lady corporally before they dye , & that whan they are once dead , our lady & all the. xi . M virgins with other saintes mo , whose nomber is infinyte , shall mete wyth them , euery one hauyng in theyr handes a brennynge taper of wa●e , & so receyue them ito glory , puttynge vpon theyr heades a crowne of golde garnysshed , I can not tell you , with howe many red Roses . Some agayn worshyp dayely a great nomber of sayntes euery one hauige to theyr parte an hundred Pater nosters , wyth as many Aues , besydes the Credes , and that for diuers causes . These thynges be more openly knowen than the they nede here to be rehersed , except we be so blynde that we wyll se nothynge , & so ignorant that we wyll nothyng knowe . I feare greatly vnlesse that may iustly be spoken of such vayne bablers , whiche is spoken by the Prophet Esay , Esa. xxix . & rehersed of our sauiour Iesus Christ in the Gospel of Mathewe : Math. xv . This people , sayth he , honoreth me with theyr lyppes , but theyr herte is far from me . Uerelye they worshyppe me in vayne . Yea I feare vnlesse that they thorow such vnfaythfull bablyng do acumulate & heape vp to them selues the greater da●acion , as Christ wytnesseth in the Gospell . Mat. xxiii . Wo be to you Scribes & Pharises Hypocrites , sayethe Christ , which eate the houses of wydowes , yea and the vnder the pretext of longe Prayer . Luke . xx . For this shal ye be punyshed the more greuously . Agayn he sayeth : Beware of the Scribes , whiche haue a pleasure to walke in longe roobes , & loue to be saluted in the Markettes , & to haue the chefe preminence in the Synagoges , and the hygh seates at feastes , which deuour the houses of wydomes fayning outewardely longe Prayers . They shall receyue the greater damnacion . Mat. xii . If we shall at the daye of iudgement render an accountes of euerye ydle worde that we speake , as the holy scripture testifyeth , what is then to be thought of those wordes , whiche we vnfruitfully waste , when we pretend outwardly to pray , & yet inwardly haue our myndes entangled with the care of worldly thinges , or els entysed from the affeccion of prayer with vayne cogitacions of thynges carnall . It is to be feared vnlesse we incurre & run into greater damnacion , then they which praye nothynge at all . For is suche prayer any other thynge than playne mockynge of God ▪ Our external pretext is as though we praied and desyred to haue our prayers heard of God , but in dede our maner of prayeng is nothyng els I speke of the vnfruytfull bablers , but only a desyrynge of God that he shoulde heare vs & our prayers nothyng at al , seyng we our selues do not heare them , nor yet mynde them in oure hertes , yea we desyre him that he wyl take vengeaunce on vs for our mockyng & ydle bablyng . And this is it that S. Ambrose sayth , Lib●● . de Cain et Abell . cap. ix . take hede that thou doste not bable oute rashly the misteries of the Crede & of the LORDES prayer . Doste thou not knowe howe greuous a thyng it is in prayer for to heap vp synne , where thou trustest to haue remedye ▪ Certes y● LORD taught by the Prophet , Psal. cviii . that it is a greuous cursse , sayeng : His prayer is become to hym euen very syn . ● . Gregory also saith . Simulata sanctitas est duplex iniquitas . Fayned holynes is double iniquite . To praye nothyng at al is iniquite & playne synne , Note . but to pretende outwardly an holy maner of prayenge , & yet not praye in dede in our hertes , is double iniquite , & encreaseth much damnacion vnto vs , as we haue hearde heretofore , in asmuch as we are dissemblers both before God & man . But let vs heare what S. John Chrisostome sayeth : Homel . xii . Demul . canan . Many commynge into the chyrch do extende & streytch out theyr prayer vnto a thousand verses , as though the multitude of wordes were nedeful vnto God as vnto one that doth not knowe what y● arest , which knoweth the matter , before thou thynkest . For they them selues also do not knowe what they saye . Theyr lyppes are moued only , but theyr mide is without fruyte , & therfore are the eares of God deafe . Thou heareste not thine owne prayer , & wylt thou that the LORDE should heare thy prayer ? I haue bowed , thou sayst , my knees . Thou hast bowed in dede thy knees wythin , but thy mynde wandreth abroad . Thy body is within , but thy thought is without . Thy mouth in dede spake , but thy mynd dyd thike vpon vsuries . It dyd count the reuenewes of thy possessions . It dyd behold the descripcions & valowynges of houses . It remembred the wordes of thy frendes . It loked vpon the negligenses of thy seruauntes . It laughed at the pleasaunt iestyng of the Pharasites . It consydered the beau●ty of women . Therfore know that these thinges are done . Follow thou beynge a man the woman of Canane , which very diligently and with hygh wisdome prayed vnto y ᶜ LORD & therfore deserued to obtayne her requestes . But thou wylte saye peraduenture , I haue no doughter , whiche is replete with the dyuell , but thou hast a soule , whiche is stuffed full of synne . Homil. lxxix . De oratione . Agayne he sayth , If whan the bodye lyghtethe prostrate vpon the grounde , & the mouth bableth vaynly , the mynde goeth about the house and market , how maye such one say that he hath prayed in the syghte of God . For he prayeth in the syght of GOD , which gathereth altogyther his mynde quietly , & hath nothyng to do with the worlde , & lyfteth vp himselfe euen vnto heauen , and putteth out of his mynd al humayn thoughtes . For he that prayeth , must so praye , that he settethe his mynde at quiet from worldly thynges , & calleth on God with a sorowfull and contryte herte . Neyther maye he vse many wordes , nor draw out his prayer on a great length , but speake fewe wordes , yea & those symple , playne and homely . For not in the multitude of wordes , but in the quycknes of mynd doth the whole matter consyst , that we should be heard . Ibidem . Once agayne he saith : In prayer ther is not so much nede of the voyce as of the thought , nor of the stretchyng out of the handes as of the intencion of the mynde .

Thus se we also proued by the Doctors , that it is the mynde , wher with a Christen man must pray . The mumblinge ouer multitude of prayers , the cryenge out of the voyce , the yellynge of the throte , the lyftynge vp of the handes , the knockynge of the brest , the shakyng of the head , the knelyng on the knees , & whatsoeuer can be in uented or rehersed besydes these thinges , are i vayne , yf the mynd be not present in the tyme of prayer . I wyl pray in spiryte , sayth Paule , i. Cor. xiiii . and I wyll praye also in mynde . I wyll synge in Spirite , and I wyll synge also in mynde . Therfore the it maye be prayed aryght , let euery man say , farewel to al humayne affayres and worldely matters , and so quietly repose himselfe , while he prayeth , that accordyng to our diffinicion , his prayer in very dede may be a lystynge vp of the mynde .

¶ The seuenth Chapter .

BUt some man wyll saye peraduenture , is it ynough , yf I pray with my mynde , the herte ●eynge semoted from mundane affayres and worldly businesses ? I aunswere : Our diffinicion teacheth vs not onlye to pray with the mynde , but also with a pure mynde . For Prayer is the lyftyng vp of a pure mynd . Pray ● a pure myn● So fewe that it is not ynough to pray with the mynd , excepte it be pure . It wyll be obiected , than shall we neuer praye . For who can say , my herte is cleane and I am pure from synne ? Pro. xx . i. Ioan. i. I aunswere : If ye saye , we haue no synne , we deceyue our selues , & the trueth is not in vs . But yf we confesse our synnes , God is faythfull & ryghteous to forgyue vs oure synnes , and make vs cleane from all vnryghteousnes . The scripture sayth , Psal. xxxi . Rom. iiii . blessed are they whose iniquities are forgyuen , & whose sinnes are couered , blessed is that man to whom the LORDE hathiputed no synne . It sayth not Blessed are they , which haue no iniquities , or which haue no sinne . For S. James sayethe : Iaco. iii. In many thynges we synne al. So long as we are in this mortall flesshe we can neuer be pure & cleane from the dregges of synne , yf from the synne it selfe . We can neuer in this lyfe aspyre vnto so great perfeccion of innocency , that we maye appeare pure & gyltelesse in the syghte of God , Iob. xxv . in whose eies the very sterres & Aungels be not clene . Howe than maye we praye wythe & pure mynde ? Learne here howe we may praye ▪ wyth a faythfull mynde . Uerely yf oure mynde be faythfull to God , & charitable to our neyghbour , God doth dissemble all our faultes , & in as muche as we are faythfull vnto hym , & louyng to oure christen brothers , he counteth vs all pure , i. Ioan. iii. as S. Iohn sayth : He that is borne of God , sinneth not , that is to saye , he that beleueth in God , Mark wel . his synne is not imputed vnto hym , in asmuch as he consenteth not to the synne , but hongreth and thyrstethe after the perfeccion of true innocency . Our hertes be purifyed by fayth sayeth the scripture , Act. xv . so that who so euer prayeth with a faythfull & charitable mynde , he is counted before God to praye with a pure mynde . God and the worlde iu●geth not alphe . The world . For God iudgeth not as the worlde dothe . The worlde thynketh hym to be a good deuoute man that goethe vp & downe wyth a coggyrnge payre of Bedes in his handes , or knelethe downe in his stole solenly with a great Matters boke in his hand , making such a noyse with his lyppes & tonge , that all the whole chyrch ryngethe of it , although his harte be farre from God , & his mynde occupied aboute worldely businesses . God . But God beholdeth the mynde , the herte , the inwarde man , & loketh whither he prayeth in purite & cleanes or not . If the herte be stuffed with fayth & charite , then is God well pleased , & accepteth the prayer for an hygh & pleasaunt Sacryfyce . Who beynge in the temple hearynge the proude Pharise , Luk. xviii . & the poore Publicane prayeng togyther would not haue estemed the Pharise to be more ryghteous & pure in the syght of God , then the wretched Publicane ▪ For the Pharise confessed no syn , but vertues many . He gaue god thankes the he was not lyke other men , whiche are extorcioners , vnryghteous , adulterers , & as the Publicane was . He fasted twyse in the weke , & gaue the tentes of all thynges that he possessed . Dangelyke righteousnes and seraphical perfeccion . Who woulde not haue thought this holy religious father worthy to be canonysed & related into the nomber of Sayntes ▪ ●et sayth Christ playnly that the poore Publycane , whyche broughte forthe no good dedes , but stode a farre of & durste not lyfte vp his eies to heauen , but humbly knocked his brest , sayenge : O God be thou mercyfull vnto me a synner , wente home more ryghteous i Gods syght then the Pharise . Whye so ? For the Pharise had no true Fayth in hym but an arrogant presumpcion , bostynge & cra●yng of his good dedes , as though God were in his det , and he not in Gods. And that he had no christen charite in him , it is euident seyng that he despysed his neighboure . For Charite , 〈◊〉 x. i. Det. iiii . sayth the Scripture , couereth the multytude of synnes .

That the Publicans prayer came from a pure mynde , that is , from a mynde faythfull & charytable , it is manifest . Fyrste bycause that with an humble herte he came to God for remission of his synnes , beleuyng to obtayne it . Secondely , seynge that he accused no man but himselfe only . Therfore went he home more iustifyed , sayeth the holye Scripture . Therfore to all suche as outwardly pretende holynes , Mat. xxi . & yet are vnpure in theyr mynde , Christe sayeth . The Harlottes & Publicans shall go before you into the kyngdom of heauen . Agayne , ●uk . xvi . ye are they that iustify youre selues before men , but God knoweth your hertes . For that whiche is prayse worthy before men , is playne abhominacion before God .

Abell also & Caym offred both sacrifices to god , Gen. iiii . & the scripture sayth that God loked vnto Abell & vnto his gyftes , but vnto Caym and vnto his giftes he loked not . God iudgeth not the personne of the acte but the arte of the personne . It is here to be noted , that God not after the fasshyon of the world iudgeth the person of the acte , but the acte of the person . He fyrste loketh to the person , & afterward vnto the acte , as the holy scripture sayeth here . He loked vnto Abell , & vnto his gyftes . Fyrst vnto Abell , & afterward vnto Abels gyftes . If the person be good , that is , faythful & charitable , than doth God accepte the gyfte , not for the dignite of the gifte it selfe , but for the faith of him that offereth . Psal. xv . Psal. xxiii . For as the Psalmograph sayeth , God hath no nede of oure goodes . The earth is y● LORDES , & all that euer is contayned in it .

As concernynge that the Scripture sayth , God loked vnto Abell , it signifieth that God fauoured Abel , i asmuch as his hart was both ●aithful & charitable . And that God loked to the gyftes of Abell , it shewethe the God was well pleased with them , seyng they proceded from the herte of such one as was enfarsed with fayth & charite .

As touchynge that the scripture sayeth , God loked not vnto Caym & vnto his gyftes , it sygnifyethe that God neyther fauoured Caym , nor yet accepted his gyftes , seynge that Caym had in him neyther fayth nor Charitie . For his herte was stuffed full of yre & wrath towarde his brother Abell , in so much that shortely after it came to passe accordynge to his pretensed malyce , that he slewe his brother . And wherfore dydde he slaye hym ▪ 1. Ioan. iii. verely bycause his owne workes were euell , and his brothers ryghteous . Thus sewe , that be our gyftes neuer so precious in the syght of men , Ec. xxxiiii . yet yf the gyuer be wicked , that is , vnfaythefull and vncharytable , God vtterlye contenneth & setteth them at noughte , as the wyse man sayeth : The gyftes of the wycked , the moost hygh doth not alowe and approue . S. Iusten also sayth , Det. ccxxvi . De tempore . the prayer of an enuious man is wont to be put a backe from the eares of God . Hereto agreeth the sayenge of Chrisostome : Let vs , Dom xxvii . in Gen. cap. viii . sayethhe , in euery place brynge forth a pure mynde . For that is the cause of al good thinges . The good LORDE is not wonte to attende & gyue hede to those thinge that are done of vs , but vnto the inwarde mynde , wherof we are moued to do these thynges . And good lokynge to this mynde , doth eyther approue or turne awaye those thynges that we do . Therfore whythe● we praye , or faste , or gyue almes ( for those are our spiritual Sacrifyces ) or whyther we do ony other certayn spiritual worke , let vs do that , being moued therunto with a good mynd Therfore sayth Christe , Mat. v. when thou● offrest a gyfte at the Aultare , & the● doste remember that thy brother hath● any thynge agaynste the , leaue thy● gyfte there before the Aultare , & ga● thy waye , be fyrste reconcyled to thy● brother , & than come & offer thy gyft . In lyke maner when we praye , we maye not onely prouyde the we maye pray with the mynd , al humayne thin●ges & worldly affayres semoted and layde a syde , but also we must gyue● earneste diligence , that we praye with a pure mynde , that is , with a mynd stuffed ful● of fayth & charite . For as Dauyd sayeth : Psal. ixv . I perceyue ony vnrighteousnes , the is to saye , vnfaythfulnesse , in my herte , God wyll not heare me . Psa. cxliiii Agayne : The LORD is ny● to all that call vpon hym , yea to all that call vpon hym in trueth . And the wyse man sayth : Sap. i. Into a ma● lycious soule wisdome wyll not enter , nor into a bodye subiecte vnto synne . 1. Tim. ii . S. Paule also sayth , I wyl the men praye in euery place , lyftynge vp pure handes without wrath and contencion . So that he whiche beareth a herte faythful towarde God , and charite towarde his neyghbour is fytte to praye in the syghte of God . Therfore let vs laboure seryously , the whan we intende to pray , we maye exclude & put out of our hertes all infidelite wrathe & contencion , & be so plenteously enfarsed with Fayth & Charite , that our prayer maye iustly seme to be a very lyftynge vppe of a pure mynde . And that this maye be done the more conueniently , it shall be necessary for vs to praye with Dauid . Psal. 1. Create in me O God a pure & clene herte , & a right vp spirite make thou a newe in my inwarde partes . But ●et vs heare more of our diffinicion . It followeth .

¶ The eyght Chapter .

VNto God . Note that he sayth , vnto God , not vnto Iupiter , Apollo , Mercurius , Bacchus , Iuno , Minerua , Pallas Uenus & such other Gods & Godesses , yea rather dyuels , Ps. lxxxx● . as the Psalmograph sayth , the Gods of the Neythen are dyuelles , vnto whom the Ethuyckes and Gentyles dyd fly in theyr prayer for succoure , nor vnto Baal , Astaroth , Moloch , the Quene of heauen , and such other Idolles , as the olde Idolaters the Iewes , worshypped & cryed vnto for helpe , no nor yet as oure new Idolaters were wont to do , Agaynste the supersticious Inuocacion of Say●nctes as vnto Luke for the Oxe , vnto Iob for the poxe , vnto Anthony for the pyg , vnto Loye for the horse , vnto Apoline for the to thake , vnto Rooke for the pestilence , vnto Syth for thynges loste , vnto Gertrude for the ratonnes & myse , vnto Blase for the Ague , vnto Agues for the fyre , vnto Barbara for the the thonder , vnto Christopher for continuall helth , vnto Annes for a husband , vnto Margarete for women with chylde , vnto Kateryne for learnyng , vnto Crispyne & Crispiniane for shoes makig vnto Cosme and Damiane for Phisicke , vnto Clement for bruing beere , and such other innumerable , but vnto God . For Prayer is a lyftyng vp of a pure mynde vnto God . Unto God ought we to lyfte vp oure hartes , when we pray , Psa. cxxii . as the Psal. sayth , vnto the haue I lyfted vp myne eyes , which dwellest in heuen Agein , I haue lyfted vp myne eyes into the Mountaynes , from whence helpe may come vnto me . Psal. cxx . My helpe cometh from the LORD which made heauen & earth . Also in another place , Psal. cxix . when I was in trouble , I cryed vnto the LORDE , & he fauourably heard me . Psa. xxxiii . 1. Pet. iii. Psa. xxiiii . The eyes of the LORDE are vpon the ryghteous , and his eares are bent vnto theyr prayers . Myne eyes , sayeth Dauid , are cryed Adam , Abell , Seth , Enos , Enoch , Nohe , Thare , Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , Ioseph , Moses , Aaharon , Ietro , Eleazar , Phinees , Iosue , Caleb Othoniel , Gedeon , Helcana , Samuell , Nathan , Dauid , Salomon , Helias , Micheas , Elizeus , Ezechias , Esaias , Iosias , Iob , Mathatias , Thoby , with all the other auncient fathers & holye Prophetes of the olde Testament , but vnto GOD alone . Agayne vnto whom prayed Ioseph Iohn Baptiste , Lazarus , Nicodemus , Gamaliel , Cornelius , Apollo , Dionisius , Aquilia , Steuen , Philip , Agabus , Ananias , Timothe , Titus , Ioses , Philemon , and all the Apostles , with many other , whiche are contayned in the volumes of both Testamentes , but vnto God alone ? The prayed , and were heard . Shall oure Prayers than be vayne , Esa. xxviii yf we pray with that same purite of mind that they dyd ? The scripture sayth : Who so euer beleuethe in God , Rom. x. Ioel. ii . Act. ii . shall not be confounded . For there is no difference betwene Iewe & Gentyle . For one is LORDE of all , whiche is rytche ynough vnto all that call on hym . For whosoeuer shall call on the name of the LORDE , he shall be safe , Let vs therfore trust in God , Psa. lxi . poure out oure hartes before hym , lament our cause to him , desyrynge to haue his mooste gracious ayde & helpe in all our trouble & aduersitie , and we may be sure to obtayne whatsoeuer we aske accordynge vnto his wyll , 1. Ioan. v. & to seale remedye so present , that nothynge can be wysshed nerer .

Thus se we that Prayer is a lyftyng vp of a pure mynd vnto God . It followeth .

¶ The nynthe Chapter .

VUherin we aske somewhat of him He that entendethe to praye with fruyte , muste before he begynne to praye , consider with hymselfe for what thynge he hath moost nede to praye . If thou be proude , than haste thou nede to praye for humilitie . If thou be wrathfull & enuyous , than haste thou nede to praye for charite . If thou be a glotton or dronkarde , them haste thou nede to praye for sobrtete . If thou be faulte in ony vice , than hast thou nede to pray for the vertue contrary to the vyce . If thou be a magistrate & ruler of the people , than hast thou nede to praye vnto God for grace , that thou mayste gouerne his people commytted vnto thy charge accordyng to equite & mercy . Yf thou be a Bysshop or spirituall ouersear , than hast thou a great occasion to flye vnto God with thy prayers , that thou mayst fayth fully gyue attendaunce on the flocke , ouer whome the holye Ghoste hathe made the an ouersear to gouerne the congregacion of God , ● Act. xx . whom he hath purchased with his bloud . To be shorte in whatsoeuer state of lyuyng thou be , yf thou consyderest & weyest depely with thy selfe thy maner of lyuing , y● shalt find sufficient occasions for to pray . They therfore which pray but for a customs , Note . & because they wyl exercise theyr lyppes , vnlesse they shuld seme to the Congregacion but a lytle deuout & holy men , not caring what they pray so they praye , & do not before they praye determyne with themselues wherfore they wyll praye , certes thoughe they spende whole worldes in suche kinde of prayer , yet do they nothing lesse then praye . If we searche the holy volumes of the deuine scriptures we shall easely perceyue , that they whiche prayed , dyd neuer praye but for vrgent and ryght necessary causes . As for an example : Exo. xxxii . Whan Moses perceyued the wrathe of God to be whotte agaynst the Israelites , bicause they had worshypped the golden calfe , he streyghte wayes for the helthe of his people prayed , sayenge : Eyther forgyue them this faulte , or ● thou do not , wype me oute of the boke of lyfe , Psal. l. whiche thou haste wrytten . Kynge Dauid prayed many tymes for dyuers vrgent causes as we may se in the Psalmes . ii . Par. l. Kynge Salomon his sonne prayed for wisdome , that he myght gouerne the people a right Ezechias hearyng the blasphemies & proud crakes of Senacherib , ●●ii . Re. xix Iudi. x. xii Hest. xiiii . praied to the LORDE for helpe . Iudith & Hester prayed for the delyueraunce of theyr people .

Luk. xviii . Mat. i●ii . Agayne in the newe Testament , the blynde prayed for theyr syght , the lame for theyr goynge , the deafe for theyr hearynge , the sycke for theyr helth . Luk. xviii Mat. xv . Mat. viii . Luk. xxiii . The poore Publicane prayed for remission of synnes . The woman of Canane prayed for the healthe of her doughter , as dyuers other dyd for theyr chyldren and seruauntes . Christ & Steuen prayed for theyr enemies . Act. vii . Act. xii . The chyrch of Christ praied for the delyuerance of Peter . Paule & al the Apostles prayed for the swifte & redye passage of the Gospell , & for the fortunate conuersion of the vnfaythfull , vnto the fayth of Christ. Thus se we that all holye & deuoute persons dyd euer premeditate with them selues , wherfore they shoulde pray before they prayed . And so sone as an occasion of prayenge was offered vnto them , they fell streyghtwayes vnto prayer , & fled vnto God with moost herty supplicacion for the purchasynge of theyr hertes desyre . So ought we to do , & not rasshely to mumble ouer a great multitude of Psalmes or other prayers after the maner of certayne ydiots & vnlearned prestes , we care not how , nor can not tell wherfore , but ponder , weye and consyder depelye oure cause , and se what a greate occasion we haue to praye , & than with an humble contryte & sorowfull herte lament our cause before God wyth moost bytter & heuy teares , neuer leauynge vntyl we haue obtayned that for the whyche we praye . If we would do thus , than should our prayers be modest , sober & decent , & not temerarious , ●asshe , & babled oute of order , & by this meanes accepted of GOD , hearde and graunted .

Thus haue I declared as I trust accordynge vnto the vayne of the holy scripture , & the mynde of the auncient Doctors , what prayer is . Now I wyll haste to declare of what vertue & strength the true and Christen prayer is , the men knowyng the efficacy & dignite , yea & the necessite therof , may with the more plansible & ioyful mī des delyght in it , exercysynge them selues therin bothe daye & nyght to the great glorye of God , & the vtter confusion of Satan , & the hygh consolacion of theyr owne soules .

Of what vertue and strength the true and Christen Prayer is .

¶ The. x. Chap.

IN declaryng the efficacye , vertue , strength , & power of the true & chrishen Prayer , I woulde gladly wysshe vnto me the pleasaunt speache & sugred vtteraunce of the moost famous & excellent Oratoure Pericles . whose eloquence was so great & wonderous , as it is reported , that euen of very nature it semed incomparable ; and not of in any part able of ony mortal man to be followed & practised , of so great admyracion , yea & estimacion in the syght of all men was it recounted . But seynge that my wysshe in this behalfe is vayne , & that ther is no man more barbarous and of lesse eloquence then I am . 1. Cor. 1. Iaco. ii . Agayne , seyng that God hathe euer chosen the fooles & vnwyse of this worlde to sette forth his glorye & to confounde the wisdome of the worldelye wyse , and the vnderstandynge of the flesshelye mynded , seynge also that the trueth of Gods wisdome hath no nede of or nate eloquence nor painted coloures , which of the faythful for all the simplicite of it , The prayer of the Author . is euer amplexed & receiued ioyfully , I shall moost instantly desyre God , that he may so direct my pen & instyll on such maner into my brest the knowledge of the moost holy Hystories of the sacred scriptures , which aboundantly declare how mighty in operacion the true & christen prayer is , that I by rehearsyng them , & Gods mooste holye Spiryte workynge therwith also maye so accend , kyndle , inflame , & fette on fyre Christen mennes hertes with the loue of faythfull prayer , that they maye vnfaynedly reioyse in the continual exercyse & godly meditacion therof .

By prayer Abraham delyuered kyng Abimelech from deth , Gen. xx . which god thretened him , bycause he had taken to him Abrahams wyfe . And where as God had stryken the kynges wyfe & handmaydens with the vyce of sterilite and barennes for the aforesayde fault , at Abrahams prayer they were made whole . Exo. viii . By prayer Moses ceased and turned awaye the plages of Egypte . Exo. ●vii . By prayer Moses caused the water to flowe oute of the hard rocke . By prayer Moses obtayned the victory for the Israelites against Ameliche , but whan he ceased to praye , than dyd theyr enemies preuayle & get the victory . Exo. xxxii . By prayer , when god was full determined to slaye the Israelites , bycause they worshypped the golden caulfe , Moses apeased the diuine wrath , & reconcyled the people to the fauoure of God . By prayer Moses caused the fyre sodenly to be in alowed vp , whiche deuoured the tentes of the murmurers . Num● . xi . By prayer Miriam , which spake agaynst Moses was deliuered from her leprosi . Num. xxi . By prayer the people which were greuously stryke & wounded of the fyry serpentes for theyr disobedience , were delyuered from them & made whole . Iosus . x. By prayer Iesus caused the Sonne & the Moone to stonde styll by the space of an whole daye , vntyll he was reuenged of his enemies . 1. 〈◊〉 . i. By prayer Anne the wyfe of Helcana beynge baren longe before was made as a fruytfull vyne . By prayer the people of Israel dyd baleauntly ouercome theyr enemies the Philistines . ii . Reg. xii . By prayer Dauid obtayned the fauoure agayne of God , although he had commytted the mooste haynous synne both of man slaughter & whoredome . iii. Re. xvii By prayer Helias raysed from death to lyfe the sonne of the wydowe of Sarepta . By prayer he in lyke maner caused that great plente of rayne came downe from heauen vpon the earth , Iaco. v. where as before it hadde not rayned by the space of thre yeres & syxe monethes . By prayer Iosaphat obtayned god mercyful to hym , ii . Pat. xx . so the easelye he had the victory ouer his enemies By prayer Ezechias ouercame hys proude aduersary Sennacherib & all his armye . iiii . Re. xx . By prayer the same Ezechias dyd prolonge his lyfe . xv . yeares , By prayer Manasses was delyuered out of captiuite , Esa. xxxiii . ii . pa. xxxiii & restored agen vnto his kyngdome . ii . Eso . ii . By prayer , Nehemias obtayned of the Kynge all his desyre . Iob. viii . By prayer all good thynges chaunsed vnto Thoby & Sara the doughter of Raguell . By prayer Iudith ouercame Holofernes & his armye . Iudit . xii . Hest. xiiii . By prayer quene Hester had her desyre for the Israelites of the kynge Assuerus . Da. vi . xiiii By prayer Daniell was preserued from the cruell fearcenes of the Lyons . Dan. xiii . By prayer Susanna was delyuered from the moost bytter death pretensed agaynst her . By prayer Ionas was delyuered out of the whales belly . Ionas . ii . By prayer Iudas Machabeus gatte the victorye ouer his enemyes , i. Mat. iiii but in two battayles when he should fyght with Antiochus , & prayed not , i. mat . ix . he fledde awaye . And when he dyd syghte with Bachides & Alcimus , he was slaine , because he dyd not praye , as before . By prayer Ionathas , i. mat . xi . whan al had forsaken him except a few , obtayned the victorye . By prayer the Iewes were delyuered from death & trouble , ii . mat . iii. & the goodes of temple preserued . Diuers histories ther be more of the old testament which declare of how great vertu & strength the true & christen prayer is , but thes at this present may seme abundantly to satisfy : I wyl therfore reherse a fewe of the new testament , concerninge this matter also , & than make an ende , that men in fewe wordes maye se of what efficacy & power faythful prayer is .

¶ The. xi . Chapter .

BY prayer the Lepers were delyuered from theyr leprosy . Luk. xvii . math. ix . By prayer the blynde were restored to theyr syghte . mat . ii . By prayer they that were sycke of the palseye , were made whole . By prayer the woman of Canane obtayned health for her doughter . mat . xv . By Prayer dyuers men obtayned math. viii . helth for theyr sonnes & seruauntes By prayer the lame were restored to the ryght vse of theyr lymmes . math. iiii . By prayer the deafe were made to heare . mat . xxi . By prayer the dumme recouered theyr speache . mat . xii . mat . ix . mat . xi . Lu. vii . xviii . By prayer the dead were restored to lyfe . By prayer synners obtayned remission of theyr synnes . By prayer Mary Magdalene had seuen dyuelles caste out of her . Luk. xviii . By prayer the Publycanne wente home more iustifyed then the Pharise . By prayer the fayth of Peter sayled Luk. xxii . not . Ioan. xv . By prayer the holy Ghoste was purchased for the Apostles and all the faythfull . Mat. xxvi . Act. vii . By prayer Christe & Stephen obtayned remission for theyr enemies . Act. ●x : By prayer Peter he led Aeneas of the palseye . By prayer he raysed by Tabiths from death to lyfe . Act. x. By prayer also he learned the all meates are pure , & none comone or vncleane . Act. x.xi. By prayer Cornelius deserued to receyue the holy Ghoste before he was baptised . Act. xii . Act. xxvii . By prayer Peter was delyuered oute of pryson . By prayer Paule saued so many as were with him in the shyp from the daunger of drownynge . ● . Tim. ii . By prayer we lyue vnder the magistrates and head officers of the publigue weale peasably & quietly with al godlynes & honesty . By prayer the Gospell of Christe hath euer had felyce & fortunate progresse . ●a●o . v. By prayer we ●● made safe in our syckenes . By 〈◊〉 ex the conuersyon of the Gentyles came fortunately to passe . By prayer the glory of God hath euer be promoted . By prayer the chyrch of Christ hath euer had the victory ouer Antechristes Sinagoge . To conclude , by prayer all good thynges chaunse vnto vs , & without prayer nothyng prospereth with vs fortunately . If I shoulde go forth to recyte all the Histories of the holye Byble , the make to the auauncement of prayer , I should contexe & make a worke longer than the Iliades of the Greke Poet Homere . But of these fewe Histories heretofore rehearsed , the faythful & Christen reader maye ryght well deprehende & perceyue , what efficacy , vertu , strength & power is in the true & Christen prayer . Howe can prayer be onye otherwyse then a thynge of great excellency , seynge that the holy Ghost was the Author of it , seing also that so many incomperable thinges by it haueben obtained & so many deuine matters brought to passe ? Luk. xvi : mat . xxvi . No man therfore oughte to doubte of the dignite of it , seyng the Jesus Christ godsowne son dyd both very diligent lyat al times , & in al fortunes & chaunses , yea & the both night & day exercise it , & also not only comaund other to pray , mat . vi . but lykewyse taught & prescribed the moost godly way of prayeng . Christes Apostles also with Marye the mother of Jesu , Act. i : & other holy women perseuered togyther very much in fastinge & prayeng after Christes Ascencion , as we read in the Ac●es of the Apostles .

I could gather here many thinges out of the olde Histories , which should declare vnto vs howe greatly the auncient fathers of Christes chyrch delighted i this godly exercyse of prayer , Df● . Iames Note as we reade in S. Iames , whose knees thorowe the continuall vse of knelynge in his prayers had greate wrattes or wennes , call them what ye wyll for all me , growynge vpon them after the maner as Camelles haue , but my mynde is not to sette forth the commendacion , prayse & auaunce ment of prayer by ony Histories , but only those , whiche are contayned in the holy scripture . Notwithstandynge seyng that hytherto I haue fortressed this my treatise with the sayenges of the godly learned Doctors , I wyll therfore nowe rehearse a sentence or two of the golden mouthed Doctor S. Iohn Chrisostome , whiche shall not a lytle make to the auauncement of the true and christen prayer .

¶ The. xii . Chapter .

DErely beloued prayer vndoubtedly , Hom. lxxix . De oratione sayth he , is an exceading good thynge and great treasure . For yf he that talketh with a vertuous man receyueth by that meanes no small profytte , howe many commodities then shall he enioye , to whom it is gyuen to talke with GOD ? It is impossible forsoth it is impossible for that man which prayeth aryght and maketh continuall supplicacion vnto God , for to synne at any tyme . For the fountaines of water do not make gardyns so fertyle , and fruytfull , as the fountaynes of teares wateringe the plante of prayer , make it to exercyse & growe vp vnto a bery great heyght , & sette hym the prayeth before the LORD . Hereof commeth it to passe that he must neded 〈◊〉 heard .

Ser primo De o●a . Agayne he sayth , as the Sonne is the light vnto the body , so is prayer vnto the soule . Prayer getteth an holy lyfe , & the congrue , decente and semely worshyppyng of God , & after a meruaylous manner it layeth vp treasure for our soules . For whither that a man wyll labour to kepe virginite , By prayer al thinges are easye . or in mariage reuerentlye to mayntayne continencye , or to suppresse wrath , & to lyue mekely , or to repurge enuy , or to do any other decent & comely thynge , prayer beyng his guyde , & preparyng such a way to the life , he shal vndoubtedly haue a quiet & easye passage vnto Godlynes . For it is not possible , but that they whiche aske of God purenes of lyuynge , iustyce , mekenes & benignite , muste nedes obtayne it by prayeng . Mat. vii ▪ Luke . x. For he sayth , aske & it shal be giuen you . Seake and ye shall fynde . Knocke & it shall be opened to you . For eueryone the asketh , receyueth , & he that seaketh fyndeth , & to hym the knocketh , it shall be opened .

Prayer receaueth vs full of synnes , Ser Serf● do De o●● , and streyghtwayes maketh vs cleane . Prayer is the presente remedy for the soules of them that are sycke . Prayer doth not onlye make cleane from sin , but also put a backe great perelles . Prayer is & is truly called a celestiall panoply & heauenly armature , & that alone is able valeauntely to preserue them , which haue consecrated them selues vnto it . So that with oute prayer no good nor wholesome thynge shall chaunse vnto vs .

Ibidem . Prayer is the head of all goodnes & the conciliatryce and purchaser of helth & euerlastynge lyfe . Prayer is the cause of all vertue and iustyce . Prayer is the occasion of health , the purchaser of an immortal soule , the ●ure bulwarke of the Chyrche , the inconcusse , vnshaken & puissaunt custody or watch of the faythful , terrible to the dyuelles , but healthful to the godly . Prayer hath wayting on her all vertues . To be breue , loke what the foundacion is in an house , the bery same is prayer in the soule .

Hytherto haue I rehearsed the wordes of the golden mouthed Doctor , whiche declare manifestlye of howe great vertue and strength the true and Christen prayer is .

Of these thynges then heretofore rehearsed , haue we sufficiently learned what an excedynge and incompa●able treasure prayer is to the soule of ● christen man . Certes whyther we ●aue respecte to the commoditie of ●ur body or of oure soule , prayer is ●he only meanes , wherby it is obtained & broughte to passe . Dui●ius martiali●s Be God ne●ter so angrye with vs , prayer apea●ed his wrathe , as the Poet sayeth . ●lectitur ixatus , uoce rogante Deus . Et. Domi ●um mundi flectere uota ualent . Beholde what prayer dothe . If we be si●ull , prayer purifyethe vs . If we be●arrē , prayer maketh vs fruytfull . ●f we be sycke , prayer makethe vs whole . If we be ygnorant , prayer engraffeth knowledge in vs . If we be ●lynd , prayer illumineth our senses . If we be confortles , prayer is redy to ●ssyst & helpe vs . If we be sorowfull , prayer conforteth vs . If we be poore , prayer entychethe vs . If we be prophane , prayer maketh vs holye . If we be carnall , prayer maketh vs spirituall . If we be captiues of Satan , praier maketh vs the derely beloued sonnes of god . If we wante ony thing Prayer is redy to get it for vs . To conclude , yf we be euell , prayer maketh vs good . If we be good , prayer maketh vs better , & neuer forsaketh vs vntyll he hath broughte vs vnto the presence of almighty God in his eternal glory . What would we haue more ? Seyng that so large commodities & great profittes come vnto vs by the true & christen prayer , let vs cast awaye all sluggyshnes , and exercyse our selues maynly in the moost godly meditacion of vertuous prayer . By this meanes doubteles shall vyce decrease & minish in vs , & contrarywyse vertue shall augment & encrease very muche bothe in bodye & soule . And the this thing may be done the more conueniently , I wyll nowe by Gods fauour declare howe a christen man should prepare hymselfe to pray , the by no meanes he maye abuse this great and syngulare treasure .

How a Christen man shoulde prepare hymselfe to praye .

¶ The. xiii . Chapter .

ALthough ther be so many thynges to be consydered in the godly exercyse of praier , Eyther thinges are to be consydered in the repeparar●●n of prayer . the we may praye aryghte , yette me thynke that eyghte thynges chefely aboue all other muste be consydered ● obserued in it , without the whiche ●o man can prepare hymselfe to praye accordyng vnto the wyll of God . Of theyse eyghte therfore wyll I nowe speake in order by the assistence and helpe of Gods moost holy Spiryte , whome I moost instantly desyre so to directe my pen , that I maye wryte all thynge vnto the glorye of God , & the profytte of his holy churche . Fyrst it is requisyte , that he whiche entendeth to pray , consydereth deply with himselfe his state & case wherin he stondeth . If he doth thus , than shal● he fynde that to be true , whiche th● Psalmograph wryteth : Ps. xxxviii Euery man that lyueth is nothyng out altogyther very vanite . Psa. lxi . Agayne , the chyldren of men are vayne . They are lyers & false , in asmuche that yf thou puttest them & vanite togyther in a ballaunce , vanite wyll surely wey them vp . Esal . xi . All fleshe is grasse , & all his glory is lyke a floure of the felde .

Gen. vi . Moreouer he shal easely perceyue that all hys senses & thoughtes are prone to euell , & that he is not able of him selfe to thike a good thought . Agayne , ii . Cor. iii. he shall shortely vnderstonde that his herte is wycked & inscrutable , Iere. ●vii . Esa. i. & that ther is no whole parte in hym from the toppe of the head to the soole of the fote , but that in all his thoughetes , wordes & dedes , he is a verye synner & greuous offender of the diuyne maiestye . Thus must he fyrst of all , whan he entendeth to pray , consyder with hym selfe what he is , euen a very synner , a trangressoure of Gods precepte , a breker of the diuyne lawe , and a wycked doer in all his actes .

This consideracion fyrst of all is very necessary . For it bringeth a man to the knowledge of hym selfe , & makethe hym desyrous for to praye , that he maye be deliuered from this great enormite . Mark this well . Certes except a man doth fyrst of all on this wyse iudge , vnderstonde & perceyue of himselfe , he can neuer be trulye bent for to praye . For who desyrethe the colour & warmenes of clothe , that feleth no colde ? Who longeth for meat & drynke , that is not hungry & thyrsty . Who wyssheth helth that is not sycke ? Who prayeth for remission of synnes , that fealeth not himselfe to be a synner ? iiii . Reg. xx . Esa. xxxiii . Woulde Ezechias haue prayed for health & longe lyfe , yf he had not felte hymselfe sycke & at the poynt of death ? ii . Para. i. Woulde Salomon haue desyred wisdome for the right gouernaunce of his people , yf he had not perceiued , ii . Re xii . Psal. i. that he had had nede of it ? Woulde Dauid when he had played the adulterer with Bethsabe the wyfe of Urias , so greatly haue lamented his synne , yf he had not knowen hym selfe to be a greuous synner ? Luk. x viii . Would the poore Publican contrary to the manners of the proude Pharise haue stonde a farre of , beynge afrayde to lyfte vp his eyes , and knockyng his brest , sayeng : O God be thou mercifull vnto me a synner , yf he had not knowen himselfe to be full of synne , misery & wretchednes ? Luk. vii . x . Would Mary magdalene haue ben so desyrous of Christes company , yf she had not knowen herselfe to be a miserable siner , and Christ a bounteous Sauyvor ? Nay verely .

Therfore the nexte & moost redy waye for a man to prepare hymselfe to praye aright , & with a feruent spiryte & hungry mynde , is to knowe & graunt hymselfe to be a synner , and the therfore he hath great nede to pray .

¶ The. xiiii . Chapter .

Secondly , when he hath once thorowly debated & beaten with hiselfe his owne misery , wretchednes , synne , & abhominacion , & perceyuethe that to be delyuered therof , ther is no other waye , but only by the mercy of God thorowe prayer , he muste streyghte wayes set before his eyes the Commaundement of God , which after the knowledge & confession of his synne commaundeth hym to praye . And here ought he not a lytle to reioyse . For who , whan he hath ones offended God , durste be so bolde as once to desyre pardon of his offence , & to pray vnto God for mercy , yf God himself had not commaundes him so to do ? Uerely no man . Beholde what sinne both . For the transgression of Gods commaundement doth so confounde the consicience of the transgressour , that it soner dryueth hym vnto desperacion , than to any hope of helpe or fauour . Gen. iii. This is well proued by Adam , which , when he hadde once broken Gods precepte in Paradyse , fled streyghtwayes from the face of God , hyd hym , & soughte all meanes possible no more to come into his syght . Gen. iiii . Howe was Caym also cofounded in his conscience when he had kylled his brother Abell , thoughe there was yet no lawe raygnynge ? Was he not so consternate & stryken with suche feare , that he sayd : Euery one that fyndeth me , wyll kyll me ? was he not ashamed so greatly of his man slaughter , that he sayd , mine iniquite is greater than I maye deserue for gyuenes ? Dyd he not flye from the face of the LORDE , so farre as he myght . Agayn , Mat. xxvi was not Iudas so ashamed of his dede whan he had solde Christ to the Bysshoppes & heade prestes , the he brought the mony agayne to them , & sayde , I haue synned , betrayenge the innocent bloud ? Act. ii Dyd not synne so confound & slay his conscience at the last , that he went & hanged vp hymselfe , & when he was hanged , dydde not he brast a sunder in the myddes , and all his bowels gusshed out ? Who being a Traytoure dare come before the Kynges maiesty to desyre pardon of his offence ? Yea who rather beynge fauty in that detestable sinne , fieth not from hys graces presence in to straunge countreyes , that he maye be free and withoute punyshment ? For the rewarde of synne is deathe . Rom. vi . Therfore I saye ought he that knoweth & graunteth himselfe to be a sinner very muche to reioyce that God for his offence hath commaunded him to praye , whiche els durst nothynge lesse than once to attempte for to approche before the diuyne maiesty with onye kynde of prayer , The nature of sinne & when synne shall laboure accordynge vnto the nature therof for to condemne the conscience , & to expell from the herte all sayth , confidence , & trust in God , than to erecte , eleuate & lyfte vp himselfe by gyuyng sure & vndoubted fayth to the commaundement of God , which commaundeth hym to praye , with this perswasion , that God hath not commaunded him for to praye in vayne . He muste therfore put these & suche lyke Comaundementes euer before his eyes , Mat. vi . Psal. xlix . Mat. xi . Aske , Seke , Knocke , watch praye . Agayne , call on me in the day of trouble . Come vnto me al ye that labour & are laden . All ye that thyrst come vnto the waters . Esa. xliiii . And ye that haue no mony make hast , by & eate . Come & bye withoute mony , & withoute ony marchaundyse , wyne and mylke . These moost gentle & louyng commaundementes of God conforte the sorowefull mynde of the synner greatly , & engraffe in him a certayn gladnes & hope for to obtayne remission of his synnes , seyng the God so bounteonsly commaundeth him to pray .

¶ The. xv . Chapter .

THyrdely when he hathe on this maner poudered the commaundement of God , wherwith he is prouoked to praye , than doth conuenient tyme requyre that he also consydereth the moost louynge , gentle , & bounteous promises of God , in the which he promyseth for to heare vs , & to graunte vs oure peticions . For what doth it profyt for to aske & not to obtayne ? If God had only commaunded vs to praye , and not also promysed for to heare vs , & gentelly to gyue vs oure desyres , what greate pleasure had he done for vs ? what had he done for the which we had nede once to saye , LORDE God a mercy ? What syngulare benefite had we receyued of hi ? But although the Commaundement to pray putteth vs i good confort , yet whan we are promysed also graciously to be heard , this maketh vs vnfainedly to reioyce & seriouslye to tryumph . This maketh vs to put oure of oure herte all doloure & sadnes , & to be replete with all myrthe & gladnes . The promyses of God brynge quietnes to the conscience , The promysce of God . huarite to the herte , tranquilitie & peace to the soule . No man is able to expresse howe much & howe great ioye lyeth buried vp in the diuyne promises , & how feruent consolacion the synner taketh by the hearyng of them . Gen. iii. What ioye thynke ye was thys vnto Adam for to heare after his offence , that the sonne of GOD should be borne of a pure mayde , & tread downe the Serpentes head , that is , subdue Satan & deliuer Adam with all his posterite from his tyranny , bryng them agayne into the fauoure of God , & make them heyres of eternall glory ? Gen. xxii . What conforte I praye you was this to faythefull Abraham for to heare that in his seed all nacious of the earthe shoulde be blessed ? What a great pleasure was this to the Israelites , Num. xxi . when they were greuously stynged & slayne of the fyry serpentes for theyr disobedience , to heare this promyse of God : make a brasen serpent , & set it vp for a signe He that is stryken & loketh vpon it , shall lyue ? Iosue . i. What exceadyng conforte receyued Iosue by thys promyse of God vnto him : I wyll not leaue the neyther wyll I forsake the. Be therfore stronge & take a good herte vnto the ? As I maye come nerer to oure matter , Ioel. ii . Act. ii . Rom. x. howe much ioye , consolacion & pleasure haue the faythfull fealte of this one promyse of God : Euerye one that callethe on the name of the LORDE , shall be saued ?

Therfore in this behalfe the promises of God must be earnestly wayed , pondered & consydered . The promyses of God are oure only conforte . In them must we reste , & dailye as in a moost pleasaunt Herboure . In them must we repose oure selues . In them must be all oure delyghte , pleasure & felicite . The chefe promises concernynge Prayer are these . Psa. xxxvi . Delyghte thou in the LORDE , & he shall giue the , the peticions of thy herte . Psal xlix . Call on me sayth God in the daye of thy trouble , & I wyll delyuer the , and thou shalte honour me . Psa. ixxxx Agayne he sayth : Seynge that he hath put his truste in me , I wyll delyuer hym , & I wyll defende hym , in asmuche as he hath knowen my name . He cryed vnto me , and I wyll graciously heare hym , I am with hym in tribulacion , I wyll delyuer hym & glorify hym . With the length of dayes wyll I replenysh hym , and shewe hym my sauynge helth . Christ also saith : Mat. xi . Come vnto me all ye that labour & are laden , & I shall refresh you . Euery one that is a thyrste , let hym come to me & drynke . Ioan. vii . Mat. vi . Agayne , aske , & it shall be gyuen you . Seke & ye shall fynde . Knocke & it shall be opened vnto you . For euery one that asketh , receyueth , & he that seketh , fyndeth , & to hym the knocketh , it shal be opened . If the sone asketh breade of ony of you , whiche is his father , wyl ye profer him a stone ? or yf he asketh fysh , Luke . xi . wyll ye gyue hym a Serpent ? or yf he aske an Egge , wyll ye profer hym a Scorpion ? If ye than which are euell , know howe to gyue good gyftes to your chyldren , howe much more shall your father celestiall gyue the holy ghost to them that desyre it of hym ? These & suche lyke promises of God , must he that intendeth to pray set before his eyes , that he conforted with the remembraunce of them , maye with the more francke courage gyue himselfe to godly and deuout prayer at all tymes .

¶ The .xvi. Chapter .

Fayth gyuen vnto the promyses of god FOurthly when he hath on this maner confyrmed & establyshed his mynde with the contemplacion & beholdynge of the diuyne promises , he maye not dout any thynge at all of them , but faythfully beleue & vndoutedly perswade hymselfe the they are true , in asmuch as they are the promises not of man but of GOD , which can not lye , Cit. l. Psa. cxliiii whiche is true , yea whiche is the selfe trueth , whiche is faythfull in all his wordes , & holy in al his workes , whose worde & trueth also abyde for euer and euer . Esay . xi . For though God be neuer so mercyfull , & bounteous in gyftes , Note wel . yet yf we do not beleue that his mercy & bounte pertayne also to vs , we are neuer the better . Let it so be , that whan a tray tour for his offence committed agenst the Kynges maiesty , Mark this Example flyeth beyonde the sees into a straung countrey by cause he wyll eschewe the daunger of the lawe , & escape the payne due for his offence , the Kynges grace hathe pitie on hym , pardon his faulte , and sende ouer his letters vnto hym , wherin is declared the kynges great mercy & gentlenes toward him , and wylleth hym to returne into his natyue countre , & there agayne to enioye the benefytes of the same , & of all other that he possessed before , yea & that with no lesse fauoure , than he dydde in tymes paste , whan he was mooste estraunged from that faulte of treason : yf the Traytour not beleuynge the wordes of the moost gracious & free pardon , woulde contemne & despyse it , recountyng it to be but a vayne gloose , & of no trueth , what should the kynges gentlenes in this behalfe profytte hym ? The kynge is mercyfull , but the traytoure is vnfaythfull . Therfore receyueth he no commoditie by the kynges pardon . And yet is not the faulte in the kyng , but in the traytour , which beleueth not that glad and merye tydynges .

Another example . Agayne : Be it in case , that a cunnyng & learned Phisicion come vnto a sycke man , promisynge hym helpe & delyueraunce of his dysease , & yet yf the sycke parson beleueth hym not , but setteth nought by hym , & despyseth his medicines what doth it profytte him ? What is he holpen by the presence of the Phisicion , be he neuer so cunnynge ? What doth the redines of helpe profyt him , yf he refuseth to take & enioye it ? Uerely nothyng at all . In lyke maner be God neuer so mercyfull & bounteous , & neuer so redy to helpe vs , yet yf we beleue hym not to be so , his mercye , bounty and assistence profyt vs nothynge at all . Psa. cxliiii The Psalmograph sayeth not only , the LORDE is nygh to all that cal on hym , but he addeth , to al that call on hym in trueth . To cal on God in truethe , what it is What is it to call on God in trueth , but to beleue earnestly that he wyll trulye performe hys promyses , & do in all thynges as he hath promysed ? Psa. lxxxiiii . Agayne , Dauid sayeth : Mercy & trueth haue mette togyther , ryghteousnes & peace haue kyssed one another . Mark this Exposicion What is this , mercy & trueth haue mette togither but that as God is mercyfull in makynge his promises , so is he true in perfourmynge them ? Agayne , what meaneth this , righteousnes & peace haue kyssed one another , but only to shewe , that the ryghteousnes of god in fulfyllynge his promises , and the tranquilite of conscience haue ioyned them selues togyther in the hertes of the faythfull .

Therfore yf we do not obtayne the hygh treasures & great pleasures the God hath promised let vs impute it to nothynge els but only to our vnfaithfulnes . Heb. xi . For S. Paule sayth with out fayth it is not possible to please God . He that commeth to God , sayth he , must beleue that God is , & that he is a rewarder to them that seke h● . Rom. v. Agayn , we beyng iustifyed by fayth haue peace toward God thorow our LORDE Iesus Christ , by whome also it hathe chaunsed vnto vs , that by fayth we should be brought into this grace , wherin we stond , & prayse vnder the hope of the glorye of GOD . S. Iames also sayeth , Iacob . i. If ony man wanteth wisdome lette hym aske of hym that gyueth it , I meane God , which gyueth to all men without doublenes , & casteth no man into the teth , & it shal be gyuen him . But let hym aske in fayth & wauer not . For he the doubteth , is lyke the waues of the see , tossed of the wynde , & caried with violence . Neyther let that man thynke that he shal receyue ony thynge of God Christ also sayeth , Math. xi . Who soeuer shall saye to this mountayne , take away thy selfe , & cast thy selfe into the see , & shall not wauer in his harte , but shal beleue that these thinges which he sayth , shall come to passe , what soeuer he sayth , shal be done vnto him . Therfore I saye vnto you , what soeuer ye desyre when ye praye , beleue that ye shall haue it , & it shal be done to you . Agen he saith haue ye the faith of GOD , the is to saye , asure pswasion & confydence of the promyses of the grace & mercy of God , & learne ye to assent & agre to the diuyne promyse which thyng yf ye shall do , verely I saye vnto you , all thynges that ye aske whan ye praye , beleue the ye shall receyue them , & they shall chaunse to you , as he sayth , al that euer ye aske whan ye praye , beleue that ye shall haue them , & they shall chaunse vnto you , Math. ix . We read that whan two blynd men desyred Christe to make them for to se , he sayd vnto them , do ye beleue the I am able to do this thynge ? They aunswared , we beleue LORDE . Than sayd Christe vnto them , accordyng to your faythe , be it to you . And theyr eyes were open . Agen whan a certayne man brought his sonne to Christ for to be healed , Christ said to him : If thou canst beleue that , al thinges are possible to him that beleueth . In diuers other places we reade , Mat. ix . that Christ sayd to them whome he heled . Be it vnto the according to thy fayth . And thy fayth hath saued the. For by fayth are we mary to God . Lull . vii . Mat. xv . Oze. ii . Ioan. i. Gala. iii. By faythe are we made the sonnes of God . By faythe all good thynges chaunse vnto vs . Therfore that we maye be partakers of the confortable promises of God , let vs ear nestly beleue them , beyng perfectly pswaded that what soeuer God hath promised , he wyll surely fulfyll it . For he is that trueth , which can neyther lye nor deceyue , but graunteth all thynges abosidantely to them that aske in faythe . In Lucan Lap. xviii . Theophilacte hath a very golden & notable sayenge , which is this . The foundacion & grounde of all prayer is fayth . For excepte a man doth beleue , that he shal receyue that to his profyt , which he asketh , the prayer that he maketh is vayn .

But yf it be so that we are yette weake , & haue no sure truste of the clemencye & great goodnes of God towarde vs , nor can not perswade ourselues that our prayer is heard , but double & wauer peraduenture of the diuyne promises , Luk. vii . than after the example of the Apostles let vs pray , LORDE encrease our fayth . Yea let vs wyth teares crye oute & saye wyth the father of a certayne chylde . Mar. ix I beleue LORDE , succour & helpe myne incredulite & vnfaythfulnes . And the mighty ruler , which is a mercyfull & gentle God , Exo. xxxiiii . pacient , longe sufferynge & true , which kepeth mercy , which taketh away iniquite , wickednes and synne , wyl surely haue mercy on vs & encrease faythe in vs . Eco . ii . For the power of the LORDE shall be with them , which seke hym with al theyr affect , herte and mynde .

¶ The. xvii . Chapter .

FYftely whan we aske ony thyng of God , we maye not aske it in our owne name , in our owne dignite & worthynes , in our owne iustyce & righteousnes , in our owne good dedes & merites , in our owne innocency and purenes , What it is to aske in the name of Christ. but in the name of Christ. What is it to aske in that name of Christ , but only to confesse that for our owne dignitie & worthynes , we are not worthy to be hearde , & therfore desyrynge to obtayne mercye , grace , fauour , & remission of our synnes , we approche vnto the throne of GOD with oure faythefull prayers , not in oure owne name , but in the name of Christe , that is to saye , in Christes dignite , worthynes iustyce , ryghteousnesse , innocencye , purenes , good dedes & merites . And for his sake & for his goodnes do we desyre to be heard , and to haue oure Peticions graunted :

This is a great conforte for them that shall pray , A confortable sayeng for 〈◊〉 . that though they be imperfecte , yet is Christ perfecte , & his perfeccion is theyr perfeccion , though they be vnrighteous , yet is Christe ryghteous , & his ryghteousnesse is their righteousnesse , though they be vnholy , yet is Christ holy , & his holines is theyr holines , though they be voyde of perfecte good workes , yet hathe Christe perfecte good workes , and his good workes are theyr good workes , yf they leaue theyr vngodlines , turne from theyr wycked wayes , & study to lyue innocently , & therfore nede they not feare for to praye , but boldly to aske all thinges in the name of Christ.

Our righteous aduocate , In Czech . Lib. i. Nom. vii . sayeth S. Gregory , shall defende vs ryghteous in the iudgement , bycause we do both knowledge & accuse our selues vnrighteous . Therfore not in our owne wepiges , not in our owne actes but in the allegacion of our aduocate let vs truste . Hereto pertayneth the sayenge of S. Austen , In Psal. ●viii . the prayer which is not made by Christ doth not only not put awaye synne , but also the prayer it self is made very synne . Christ sayth , whatsoeuer ye shall aske in my name , that wyll I do , that the father maye be gloryfyed by the sonne . Ioan. xiiii If ye aske ony thyng in my name , that shal I do . Agayne If ye abyde in me , & my wordes abyde in you , aske what soeuer ye wyl , & it shall be done to you . In another place also he sayth : Ioan. xvi . Uerely verely I say to you , what soeuer ye shal aske the father in my name , he shall gyue it you . Nytherto ye haue asked nothynge in my name . Aske & ye shall receyue , that your ioye maye be perfect . Thus so we that in Christes name we must aske all thynges . Act. iiii . For there is none other name gyuen vnto men vnder heuen , wherin we must be saued but onlye this name of iesus christ . Euerye one that calleth on thys name shal be saued . Joel . ii . Pro. xviii . For the name of the LORDE is a stronge tower & valeaunt Bulwarke , vnto that doth the righteous , that is , the faythefull man flye . Psal. xxxix . Blessed is that man , which trusteth in the name of the LORDE , and hath no respecte vnto vanities and false madde fantasies .

Moreouer Dauid , Dauid . although God prayseth him greatly , & sayeth , that he hath founde Dauid his seruaunte euen after his owne herte , yet dyd not he , whan he prayed , desyre to be hearde for his owne name , & for his owne ryghteousnes & vertu , but he prayed on this maner , Psal. cxiii . LORDE heare my prayer , heare my request for thy truthes sake , yea fauourablye heare me for thy righteousnes , Agayne , in the O LORDE haue I trusted , Psal. xxx . let me neuer be confounded , but deliuer me in thy righteousnes . My strength and my refuge arte thou , and for thy names sake shalte thou lede me forth & norish me . Psal. xxiiii For thi names sake LORD shalte thou be merciful to my sinne , for it is much . O god for thy names sake saue thou me , Psal. iiii . & in thy vertu delyuer me . Ps. lxxviii . Helpe vs O God our sauyour , & for the glorye of thy name O LORDE delyuer vs , & be mercyfull to our synnes for thy names sake . Beholde he desyreth not the fauoure of God for his owne sake , for his owne name , righteousnes , trueth & vertu but for Goddes name , for Goddes ryghteousnes , trueth and vertue . Nowe who is the ryghteousnesse of God , The righteousnes of God , is Christ. is Lord. but Iesus Christe the sonne of God , whiche alone is founde righteous among men ? As Paule wytnesseth , he is made of God our wisdom ryghteousnes , sanctificacion & redemcion , that as it is wrytten , he that reioyceth , maye reioyce in y● LORDE Who is the trueth of GOD , The truth of God . but he which sayth of himselfe . I am the way the trueth & the lyfe . Ioan. xiiii . The vertu of God . i. Pet. ii . No man commeth to the father but by me ? Who is the vertue of God , but he that hath done no synne , nor in whole mouth ony gile was found , which is Christ ● . Austen wryteth of Christ on this maner , Tract . xxii . in Io. cap. v. I am , sayth he , the way , trueth & lyfe . No man commeth to the father but by me . As though he should say , wylte thou walke ? I am the waye . Wylte thou not be deceyued ? I am the trueth . Wylt thou not dy ? I am the lyfe . This doth thy Sauyour say to the , ther is none other , to whome thou mayst go , but vnto me . There is no waye that thou canste go , but by me .

So that for Christes sake & not for his owne dyd Dauid althoughe both godly & vertuous , yea & dearly beloued of God , d●●●re to be hearde , & to haue the peticions of his herte graunted . ●● obiection . But it maye be obiected , Dauid also prayeth on this maner . Heare O LORDE my ryghteousnes , Psal. xvi . & gyue attendance vnto my prayer . Let my iudgement come forth from thy face , lette thyne eyes se equite . Thou hast proued my hert & visited it in the nyght , thou haste tryed me with fyre , & yet hath there none iniquite be found in me . Psal. xvii . Agayne , I wyl be without spotte with him , I wyll kepe me from iniquite , & the LORDE shall rewarde me accordynge to my righteousnes , & accordynge to the puritie of my handes in the syght of his eies . Also in another place , Psal. xxv . Iudge me O LORDE , for I haue walked in my innocency . In these & such lyke Dauid layeth oute his owne innocency , purite & ryghteousnes , ' & semeth to desyre to be heard for them . ●n answer I answere if Dauid desyred to be heard for his owne ryghteousnes , than should he fyght with himselfe wherin many and diuers places he confesseth his synne , & cleueth only to the mercy of God , desyreth to be hearde for the righteousnes , trueth & vertue of God , and not for his owne sake . 〈…〉 Enter not in to iudgement , O LORDE , sayeth he , with thy seruaunt , for no man that lyueth shal be iustifyed in thy syght . Nowe than could he set out his owne ryghteousnes before GOD , that he myghte be iustifyed by it ? What shall we then saye to this matter ? Note thys Solucion : I aunswere , yea & that not wythoute the authoritie of the holy scriptures & the mynde of the aunciente Doctors , that as in dyuers other places of the Psalmes , so in these and such lyke he speakethe in the parsonne of Christe , and not in his owne . He speketh of Christes innocency , puryte , ryghteousnes & vertue , & not of his owne . He representeth Christes parson , & not his owne . Whan he speaketh in his owne parson , he graunteth hymselfe alwayes a synner , seketh helth of God , & desyreth not to be heard for his owne ryghteousnes but for Gods ryghteousnes , whiche is Iesus Christ. So that in Christes name he offered vp his prayers vnto God the father , Exo. xii . Ioan. i. as all the faythfull ought to do . For Christ is the lambe without spotte . Christ is that lambe of God , which taketh away the synne of the worlde . Mat. iii. Christ is that dearly beloued sonne , for whose sake God the father is well pleased with men . Christ is that Byshop , Heb. vii . which is godly , innocente , vndefyled & segregate from synners . Ioan. x. Christ is the dore , by whome alone we muste come to the father . Math. i. Christ is that sauiour which saueth his people from theyr synnes . Christ is he by whome grace & verytie is shewed vnto vs . Ioan. 1. Colos. 1. Christe is he , which by his moost precious bloude hath reconciled vs to Godyee father . Christ therfore is he , in whose name that is , in whose dignite , ryghteous●nes , innocency , vertue , & purite , we must offer vp our prayers to God the father . Esa. lxiiii . For all our ryghteousnesses ●ampared to the iustyce of God , are ●yke a cloth polluted with menstrue . That we are not able to obtayne any thynge of God for our owne righteousnes , it is manifest by these wordes which God himselfe speaketh by his Prophet Esaye , Esa. xliii . I am , I am he , which putteth awaye thyne iniquities , yea & that for myne owne sake . ( Marke the he sayeth , for myne owne sake . ) And wyll remember thy synnes no more . Put me in remembraunce , & let vs be iudged togyther . Tell me yf thou hast ony thing wherby thou mayst be iustifyed . Esa. xlviii . Agayne : For my names sake , wyll I put away myne anger . For myne owne sake , yea for mine owne sake wyll I do this , that I may not be blasphemed & euel spoken of . In the name of Christe therfore let hym aske , that entēdenth to obtayne onye thynge of God the father , as S. Paule sayeth , Col. iii. whatsoeuer ye shall do in word & dede , do an● thynges in the name of the LORDE Iesus , gyuynge thanckes to God the father by him . And so doynge let hym not doubt , but that he shall obtayne all good thynges accordyng● vnto his hertes desyre .

¶ The .xviii. Chapter .

All thynge must be ashed accordyng vnto ● wyll of God . SYxtely , he that intendeth to pray , muste earnestly prouyde that he asketh all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God . He may not aske af● ter his owne fantasy , wyl & plesure , but after the wyll of God . For oure wyll in comparison of Gods wyll , is neuer good , but euell or prone to euell . For we knowe not what we shoulde praye , Rom. viii . as it becommeth vs . Therfore what so euer we aske , we must refe●ce it vnto the wyll of God , and be contented to be ordered in all thynges accordyng vnto his moost ●olye wyll , as Christe taughte vs to ●raye in the Pater noster . Let thy wyll be fulfylled as in heauen , Mat. vi . so lyke wyse in earth . Christe also himselfe for to gyue vs an example , when the ●oure of his passion began to drawe ●igh , prayed vnto his father on this manner : My father , yf it be possible , ●et this cup go awaye from me : Math. xxvi . Not withstandyng let not myne but thy wyll be fulfylled . mat . viii . The Leper also ●ayd to Christ , LORDE yf thou wylt , ●hou maist make me whole Here the Leper desyred to be clensed of his le●rosye , yet he referred his requestes vnto Christe eyther to be graunted or denyed . Nota. So it becommeth vs in lyke maner to aske all thynges according vnto the wyll of God , & what soeuer we desyre , euer to submyt & referre ●t vnto Gods wyll , whiche knoweth ●este , what we haue nede of , & what ●s moost necessarye for vs , math. vi . before we pray . For we haue not a greter warre nor an harder fyght in this world than the battayle & stryfe of the Spi● ryte , & of the fleshe , which two are al● wayes so at debate , the the hatred be● twene them can neuer be apeased . Gal. v. For as the flessh lusteth agaynst the spiryte so doth the spiryte fight very valeant ly agaynst the wycked , fearce & cruel violence of the fleshe , & are euermore as the Apostle wytnesseth , one agens● another , Rom. vii . so that we can not do those thinges the we would , in asmuch that we are compelled to crye oute with the Apostle , o wretched & vnhappy that I am , who shall delyuer me from thys body bonde vnto death .

Howe euell it is to followe oure owne wyll , neglectynge in the meane season the good pleasure of God , dyuers Histories of the holy scriptures shewe . Kyng Saul thought that he had done well , 1. Reg. xiii . when he perceyuyng the people to go away from hym , offered burnte offrynges to the LORDE in the absence of Samuel , sayenge , that he dyd it to pacifye the LORDE , & that he was compelled to do so . But Samuell sayd vnto hym , thou hast done folisbly , neither hast thou kept the commaundementes of the LORDE thy God whiche I commaunded the.

Agayne God commaunded Saul i. Reg. xl● . to staye Amelech , to destroye al that euer ther was , not to spare one , not to couyt any thyng of theyr goodes , but to kyll man , woman , chylde , sue kynge babe , oxe , shepe , camell , asse , & what soeuer could there be sound besydes . But Saul following his own wyll more than the wyll of God , spared Agag the king of Amelech alyue with the beste flockes of shepe , ores , cattell , & all that euer was fayre he spared , & woulde not destroye them , but what soeuer was vyle and of no pryce , that he destroyed . Whan Samuel came vnto hym & sayde , what of beastes do I heare here ? He auswe● red , the people hathe broughte them from Amelech . They be the best and fattest of all the flockes , & they be reserued to be offered vnto the LORDE . But Samuel sayde vnto hym . Bycause thou hast cast awaye the word of the LORD , thou LORD hath cast away the that thou be no more king . Wyll the LORD burnt offringes & sacrifices & not rather that it may be obeyed vnto his worde ? Obedience is better then Sacrifyces , & to gyue eare to the LORDES commaundement is more than to offer the satte of wethers . What godly excuses had kynge Saul here to couer his faulte , and to make his wyll vnto carnall iudgementes to appeare verye vertuous & godly ? For all that euer he dyd , was done to honour God , A poynte for theyr li●●nge . to sacrifice & offer oblacions to God . Yet God casteth awaye that wyll , whiche is contrary to his wyll , seme it neuer so godlye , vertuous and good in the syght of fleshly wyse men . Yea cursed be all good wylles , all good zeeles , all good intentes , that fyghte with the wordes of God .

Oza also thought he had done wel ii . Reg. vi . when he seyng the arke of God in iopardy of fallyng oute of the wayne , steyed it with his hande , yet for all hys good voyl , bicause he touched it , was he stryken of the LORDE , & streyghte waye dyed .

Kynge Ozias in lyke maner of a ii . Pa. xxvi . good intent would haue taken vpon him to burne incense vnto the LORDE but Azarias the preste sayd boldely vnto hym , it is not thyne offyce Ozias to burne incense vnto the LORDE , but it pertayneth to prestes the sonnes of Aaron , which are consecrated to suche ministry & seruyce . He com , maunded him also to go out of the sanctuary , & tolde him the that whiche he had done , should not turne vnto his prayse of the LORDE God . And immediately after for his disobedsente presumpcion , he was stryken with leproly , & so beynge cast oute of the house of the Lorde , he contynued a Leper euen vnto his death .

Good intentes not grounded on Gods word , are the authore of al euell . The Iewes dyd put Christ & his Apostles to death of a good zele , wyl intent and purpose . The tyrauntes whiche dyd slaye the holy martyres thoughte they dyd well . The bloude soupers also , which at this tyme persecute Christes gospel vnder the name of Heresye , & cruelly slaye & shed the bloude of the true Christians vnder the pretexte of persecutynge Heretikes , perswade themselues that they do well , & thynke they meryte greatly in the syght of God , Ioan. xvi . as Christ sayth the tyme shall come that they which kyl you , shal thike the they do an high seruyce vnto God .

Whyle we follow our owne wyll , we commyt many absurdities & vnsyttynge thynges . Therfore whatsoeuer we do we must haue a respect to the wyll of God , & make ours conformable vnto it , vnlesse we hepe vp damnacion vnto our selues in all our peticions , prayers & requestes . We muste aske accordynge to the wyll of God . He that doth otherwyse , doth euell , & therfore he obtayneth not the which he desyreth , Iaco. iiii . as S. Iames say ethe : Ye aske , and haue not , bycause ye aske amysse , for to consume it vpon youre volupteousnes . If he doth obtayne it , vndoubtedlye it is to his greater damnacion . Therfore let vs aske accordynge to the wyll of God . So may we be sure to haue our hertes desyre , i. Ioan. v. as S. Iohn sayth , This is the trueth that we haue in God , that yf we aske ony thyng according vnto his wyll , he heareth vs . And yf we knowe that he heareth vs , what so euer we aske , we knowe that we shall haue the Peticions that we desyre of hym . And that we maye do it fruytfully , Psal. ●xlii let vs praye with the Psalmograph , teach me O LORDE , to do thy myl , for the arte my God . So shal God worke his good pleasure in vs .

The nynetyne Chapter .

We maye appoynte God no tyme . MOreouer although in our prayers we aske all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God , yet may not we appoynt God the tyme of obtaynynge these thynges . We muste praye & aske , but oure peticions we muste referre & commyt to God for to be graunted , whan it shall be hys moost godly pleasure . For he knoweth what is moost fitte for vs better than we do our selues , & he wyll vndoubtedly graunt vs those thinges that we aske , or elles muche better , whan he seeth his tyme . Psal. cxxii Therfore let vs lyft vp our eyes vnto him , which dwellethe in the heauens . And as the eyes of seruauntes are euer on the handes of theyr maysters , & as the eies of the handemayde are all wayes on the handes of her maystres , so lette our eyes be bent euer vnto the LORD , vntyll he hath mercy vpon vs . Let vs aske , & paciently abyde his diuyne wyll , & surely we shall not be deceyued of our desyres . But yf we shall appoynte hym the tyme , & wyl that he be obedient to our wyl , rather than we to his , than do we tempte him , & prouoke his anger agaynst vs . Example haue we in the History of Judith , Ju. vii , viii . where we read that whan the Israelites had ben longe oppressed of Nolofernes & his army , & had contynued manny houres in theyr prayers , cryenge vnto the LORDE for helpe , & yet perceyued none at all at the hande of God : They all consented that yf God dyd not helpe them wythin fyue dayes , they woulde gyue ouer both themselues & theyr citie vnto Dolofernes & his people . But whan Judith that vertuous woman hearde of it , she sayde : Why haue ye consented to gyue ouer the citie vnto the Assyrianes , yf helpe commeth not vnto you from the LORDE within fiue dayes ? What are you that thus tempte the LORD ? This is not a sayeng for to prouoke mercye , but rather to store vp yre , & to kyndle furor . Daue ye appoynted the tyme of the LORDES mercy ? & haue ye appoynted hym a daye at youre pleasure ? But seynge the LORDE is pacient , let vs repent , and be sory for this thynge , and let vs desyre his sauour with wepynge teares .

Thus se we that it is no s●iale of fence , be our peticions neuer so righteous , for to appoynte God the tyme . For that appoyntement of tyme declareth vs to be vnsaythfull . It sheweth that we haue no ryght perswasion of God . It is a manifest argument , that we depende & hange vpon Gods goodnes & mercy only for our carnail profytte & auauntage . It maketh euydent , that we do no longer regarde God , than he satisfieth and fulfylleth our lustes , pleasures , and desyres . Good counse● Therfore let vs do , that we are commaunded , that is , humblye offer vp our prayers to God , myth all submission of mynde , powre out our hertes before him , & with vnfayned teares lament our cause vnto hym , nothynge doubtynge , but that accordyng to his moost godly promyse he wyll heare vs , graunt vs those or els better thynges , when it shall be hys plesure . And yf God semeth to withdraw his helpe from vs at any tyme & not streyghtwayes to graunt vs our requestes , lette vs not dispayre , nor fall from the true confidence , truste & hope in the moost confortable promises of god therfore , but rather be the more earnest & importune in askynge , beynge perswaded that God only differeth & prolongeth the accomplyshment of his moost faythfull promyse , bycause he wyll trye oure fayth , whyther it be right constant , and stedfast or not . Dearly beloued , sayth S. John Chrisostome , whan I saye , praye vnto God , besech hym , & wayte vpon him , thou sayst : I haue prayed once , twyse , & thryse , yea and ten tymes & twenty tymes , & what haue I receyued , sayst thou ? Go not thy way , tyll thou receyuest , for the ende of the thyng asked , is the receyuynge of hym that prayethe . Than cease thou , whan thou hast receyued yea rather neyther cease thou than , but stil perceyue & continue , giuig thankes for that which thou hast receyued , the that which thou hast taken , may continually remayne with the.

Mat. xv . Let vs followe the woman of Canane , which , as it woulde appeare , beynge denyed of her peticion diuers tymes , at the leeste receyuynge but smale confort at christes hand , would not cease , but styll continued in makynge suyte & supplicacion for the helth of her doughter , tyll at the laste she heard this swete & confortable voyce , O woman great is thy fayth . Be it vnto the , as thou wylte .

¶ The. xx . Chapter .

THe laste of all , which is to be cōsythered in the preparacion of prayer , is so necessary , that without it , all the other are but vayne , & nothyng to the purpose : And it is this that whan soeuer we entend to pray , we do fyrst forgyue such as haue offended vs , or els by no meanes can we obtayne remission of our synnes & fauour at the hand of God . Therfore do we on thys manner praye in the Pater noster : Math. vi . Forgyue vs oure dettes , euen as we forgyue our detters . And Christ sayth forgyue , and it shall be forgyuen you . Yea he gyueth vs a playne commaundement the we should forgyue so many as haue offended vs , before we praye , or elles oure prayer worketh vs rather damnacion than saluacion . Marke . xi . Whan ye prepare your selues to praye , sayeth Christe , forgiue yf ye haue ony thyng agenst ony man , that your father , which is in heauen , may forgyue you also your trespasses . Math. vi . Agayne he sayth : yf ye forgyue men theyr faultes , your heauenvly father wyl also forgyue you . But yf ye do not forgyue men theyr faultes , nether wyll your father forgiue you your faultes .

We reade that Peter came vnto Christ , Mat. xviii . & sayd , LORDE howe ofte shal my brother synne agaynste me , and I shall forgyue hym ? Untyll seuen tymes ? Christ aunswered , I say not vnto the , vntyl seuen times , but vntyll seuenty tymes seuen tymes . And ● Luke he sayth : Luke xvii . Take hede to your selues . If thy brother synneth agenst the , rebuke hym , & yf he repente , forgyue hym ▪ And yf he synneth seuen tymes in a daye agaynste the , & shall seuen tymes in a day turne agayne vnto the , sayenge : It repenteth me , forgyue hym . Math. xviii● And in Mathewe to make the matter more playne , that we shall not be forgyuen of God , except we forgyue them the offende vs , he putteth for the a similitude or parable of a certayne kynge , which when he called hys seruauntes to a countes , had one brought to hym , which ought hym ten thousande talentes . Whan he was not able to paye , hys Lorde commaunded hym to be folde , & his wyfe , & his Chyldren , & all that euer he had , & payment to be made . The seruaunt fell downe , & worshypped hym , sayenge : LORDE be pacient toward me , & I wyll paye the all togyther . The LORD had pitie on that seruaunt , losoned hym , and forgaue hym all that he ought . But that seruaunte goynge forth founde one of his fellow seruauntes , which ought hym an hundred pence , and layenge hand on hym , & tahīg him by the throte he sayde , paye that thou ●west . Hys fellowe seruaunte fell downe , & desyred hym , sayenge . Be pacient toward me , & I wyll paye the all togyther . He would not , but went his waye , & cast him ito pryson , vntyll he should paye the dette . Dhan his fellow seruauntes saw that which was done , they lamented verye sore , & came , and openned vnto theyr Lorde all those thynges that were done . Than dyd theyr LORDE call hym , & sayde vnto hym , thou vngracious seruaunt , I forgaue the all that dette , when thou desyredst me , had it not ben conuenient also , that thou shouldest haue had pitie on thy fellow seruaunt ? And his LORDE beyng angry , commytted him to the Ialours , vntyll he should pay all that was due vnto hym . Christe concludethe : So lykewyse shall my heauenly father do vnto you , yf euery one of you euen from the very hert doth not forgyue hys brother theyr offences . Hereof doth it appere more clerely than the lyghte , that excepte we forgyue , we shall neuer be forgyuen , Prayers done out of charite please not God . neyther can ony thynge please God that we do , yf it be done out of charitie . For the worde of God abydeth fyrme , sure , & constant for euermore . And this sayeng of Christ can not be mocked by onye meanes , nor made frustrate , so lykewyse shall my heauenly father do vnto you , yf euery one of you euen from the very herte dothe not forgyue his brother theyr offences . What S. Paule wrytethe of those workes , which are done out of charite in the fyrste Epistle to the Corinthians , the thyrtene Chapter , it is not vnknowen to them the reade the holy scriptures . God louethe no vncharitable , malicious , wycked , enuious , & bloudy prayers . Euery one that hateth his brother , is a manslayer . i. Joan. iii. And ye knowe sayeth S. John , the euery manslayer , hathe not euerlastyng lyfe abydyng in hym . Agayne If ony man sayeth , i. Ioan. iiii . I loue God , and hatethe his brother , he is a lyer . For he that loueth not hys brother , whom he hath ser●e , god , whom he hath not sene , how can he loue ? And this commaundement haue we of him , the he , which loueth God , do also loue his brother . But let vs heare what oure golden mouthed Doctor sayeth to this matter .

¶ The. xxi . Chapter .

Hom. lxxxix De ora●ione . IF that we be commaunded not only to pray for the faythfull but also for the vnfaythful , consyder thou how great & euell it is to desyre euel agaynst the brothers . What dost thou o man● Commest thou to God for to make him mercyfull vnto the , & dost thou wysh euel to another ? Excepte thou doste forgyue , neyther shall it be forgyuen the. Thou doste not only not forgiue , but thou also desirest God , that he wyll not forgyue ▪ If it shall not be forgyuen the , which dost not forgyue , doste thou not alonlye not forgyue , but also desyrest GOD not to forgyue ? If it be not forgyuen him , that doth not forgiue , how shal it than be forgyuen him , which prayeth the LORDE , that he maye not forgyue ? If it be a shame to haue enemies , consyther thou than , howe great a synne it is to desyre euell to them , whan thou oughteste to pourge thy selfe , bycause thou hast enemies , dost thou also accuse them ? What forgyuenes shalte thou obtayne , detracting & reportyng euell of thy neyghbour , thefely at such time , when thou hast nede of no meane mercye . For thou tāmest also to praye for thyne owne synnes . Note well● Remeber not therfore other mennes fautes , vnlesse thyne owne be reserued . Thou arte a man , vomyte not oute the poyson of adders . Thou arte a man , playe not the cruell wylde beast . Thou haste a mouth made vnto the for thys cause , not the thou shouldest byte , but that y● shou● dest heale . Remember what God manifestly hath monysshed the to do , euen that thou shouldest spare & forgiue .

De cō●ūe . cordi● . li. i. Agayne in another place he sayth as concernynge that which is wrytten : Forgyue vs oure dettes , as we forgiue our detters , who is he among vs all , that dare boldely saye theyse thynges to God ? For althoughe we do no euell to our enemies & detters yet haue we within vs a wounde of offence , that is incurable , and canne not be made whole . But Christ wyll not only that we forgyue them that offendethe vs , but also that we loue them & praye for them . For yf onlye thou dost not hurt hym , which hath hurte the , & yet turneste awaye thy selfe from hym , & wouldest not gladly se hym , without doubte ther abydeth a wounde in thy brest , & sorowe encreaseth styll in thy herte . If it be so , certes that is not fulfilled , which Christ hath commaunded . Wylte thou that God be mercyfull vnto the o● such sorte , that he shoulde not hurte the , & yet turne hym selfe awaye from the , & remember thy synnes , & haue no mynde to se the ? Therfore euen such one as thou wouldest that god shoulde be vnto the , whan thou desyrest forgyuenes of thy synnes , suche one oughtest thou to shewe thy selfe vnto them , whiche haue offended agaynst the. As a certeyne wyse man wryteth , saying , he that seaketh ven geaunce , shal fynde vengeaunce of y● LORDE , which shall surely kepe hym his synnes . Forgyue thy neyghbour the hurte that he hath done the , & so shall thy synnes be forgyuen the also whan thou prayeste . A man that bereth hatred agaynst another , how dare he desyre forgyuenes of God ▪ He that sheweth no mercy to a man which is lyke hymselfe , howe dare he aske forgyuenes of his synnes ? If he that is but flesshe , beareth hatred , & kepe it , who shall itrete for his ●ines

Seynge therfore that excepte we do forgyue our detters , De cōpū● cordi● . li. oure dettes shall not be forgyuen of God , and in asmuch as we shall fynde God suche one to vs , as we are to oure neyghbours , let vs followe Christ & Steuen , whiche prayed to God for theyr enemies in the myddes of theyr tormentes , that they myghte be forgyuen . For let vs know this to be true and nothynge more truer , that as a Surgion can not heale perfectely the wound so long as any yron is in it , so likewyse can not prayer profyt so longe as the mynde is canchred , and defyled with gyle , fraude , deceyte , simulacion , rancoure , hatred , malyce● emnite , & suche other wyckednesses . There is nothing , layth Chrisosto● that maketh vs more lyke vnto God than yf we be gentle & easy to be intreated of them that be euel , and d● hurte vs . God is redy to forgyue at al times , yf we forgiue . God maketh his sonne to shyne both vpon the good & euell , & sendeth rayne vpon the righteous & vnryghteous . Let vs therfore after the example of our heauenly father loue not only our frendes , but also our enemies , yea & that from the bottome of the herte . Let vs forgyue so many as offende vs , & shew our selues of such affeccion toward them that offende vs , as we desyre that Christ should be towarde vs . Lette vs be so feruentely gyuen vnto the preseruacion of fraternall concorde & mutuall charitie , that yf thorowe humayne infirmite it chaunseth at ony tyme that contencion ryseth vp amonge vs , we maye notwythstandynge so shortely put it away by reconcylynge one to another , that all displeasure taken awaye , the sonne maye not faull downe vpon our anger . Let vs euer set before oure eyes this sayeng of S. Paule ▪ As the elect of God , holy & beloued , put on tender mercy , kyndenes , humblenes of mynd mekenes , De con●un cordi● . li. longe sufferynge , forbearynge one onother , and forgeuynge one another ( yf o●●e manne haue a quarell to another ) as Christe forgaue you , so do ye . But aboue al thinges put on loue , whiche is the bonde of perfeccion . And the peace of God mought rule in your hertes , vnto the whiche peace ye are called in one body , and se that ye be thanckefull .

If we wyll do thus whan soeuer we praye , we maye be sure to praye wyth fruyte , we maye be sure to obtayne what so euer we aske of God the father thorowe Iesus Christ , we maye be sure to haue forgyuenes of all oure synnes , & euer to haue God the father a bounteous and gentle father vnto vs .

Hytherto haue I declared , what prayer is , of what vertue & strength the true & christen prayer is , & howe we ought to prepare oure selues for to praye .

Now it remayneth that I declare in what place a Christen man should praye , & after what maner . Agayne for what thynges , & at what tyme he ought to praye .

¶ In what place a Chrysten shoulde Praye .

¶ The. xxii . Chapter .

ALthough God in the olde lawe was called vpon , & prayed vnto of the Iewes in the temple of Ierusalem , which Salomon buylded , & although God had chosen that place , wher● chefely they shoulde call vpon his name , offer Sacrifyce vnto hym , read & learne his moost holy law , & do such thynges as he had appoynted them in his word , yet both at that tyme , yea & also many yeres before , we read that dyuers holy men prayed in other places besydes that Temple , & were harde . Neyther dyd God so institute that temple to be a house of prayer , as though it should only be there lawefull to call on hys diuyne name , Why the temple of Salomon was builded . but that by that meanes he shoulde kepe the grosse Iewes in an order , whiche els would haue inuented newe kyndes of worshyppyng God after theyr owne fantasy , & resorted to such places , wher Idolles were worshypped , & by this meanes be prouoked vnto Idolatrye , where vnto they were very much bent , as we may se in the holy Scriptures . Therfore god appointed them to pray in that temple of Salomon , not takynge awaye yet for all that the lybertie of prayeng in euery place from the faythfull . Gene. iiii . For we read the Enos the sonne of Seth dyd fyrst begynne to call on the name of the LORDE , before ony temple was buylded . And it is to be thoughte , that Abell also prayed vnto God , whan he offred in crisyce , Enoch , Nohe , Thare , Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , Ioseph with many other of the auncient Patriarkes worshypped & prayed vnto God , one in this , another in that place , before ony one peculiar house was appointed & dedicated vnto prayer , yea and God hearde those prayers , accepted them , & graunted the peticions asked in them . What other thynge do the examples of all these holye men teach vs , than that it is lawfull for a faythfull man to praye wythoute ony differency in euery place . Exod● ▪ ii . Dyd not the chyldren of Israell praye to God , whan they were oppressed wyth miserable captiuite in Egypt a lond full of Idolatrye , supersticion , & all kynde of wickednes ? Dyd not Moses & Aaron many tymes praye vnto the LORDE in wyldernes ? Iosue . ● Dyd not Iosue praye vnto God in hys watres before , we read that dyuers holy men prayed in other places besydes that Temple , & were harde . Neyther dyd God so institute that temple to be a house of prayer , as though it should only be there lawefull to call on hys diuyne name , Why the tē●ple of Salomon was builded . but that by that meanes he shoulde kepe the grosse Iewes in an order , whiche els would haue inuented newe kyndes of worshyppyng God after theyr owne fantasy , & resorted to such places , wher Idolles were worshypped , & by this meanes be prouoked vnto Idolatrye , where vnto they were very much bent , as we may se in the holy Scriptures . Therfore god appointed them to pray in that temple of Salomon , not takynge awaye yet for all that the lybertie of prayeng in euery place from the faythfull . Gene. iiii . For we read that Enos the sonne of Seth dyd fyrst begynne to call on the name of the LORDE , before ony temple was buylded . And it is to be thoughte , that Abell also prayed vnto God , whan he offred sacrifyce , Enoch , Nohe , Thare , Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , Ioseph with many other of the auncient Patriarkes worshypped & prayed vnto God , one in this , another in that place , before ony one peculiar house was appointed & dedicated vnto prayer , yea and God hearde those prayers , accepted them , & graunted the peticions asked in them . What other thynge do the examples of all these holye men teach vs , than that it is lawfull for a faythfull man to praye wythoute ony differency in euery place . Exod● ii . Dyd not the chyldren of Israell praye to God , whan they were oppressed wyth miserable captiuite in Egypt a londfull of Idolatrye , supersticion , & all kynde of wickednes ? Dyd not Moses & Aaron many tymes praye vnto the LORDE in wyldernes ? Iosue . ● Dyd not Iosue praye vnto God in hys warres , whan he made the Sonne and Moone to stand styll , vntyll he had reuenged hymselfe of hys enemyes ? 〈◊〉 . Reg. xvii . Dyd not Helias praye in the house of the wydowe of Sarepra , whan he restored her sonne from death to syfe ? Dyd not he agayne pray in the toppe of the mounte Carmelus , & obtayned after long droute plente of rayn ? 〈◊〉 . Reg. ●● . Esaie . ●●xii● . Dyd not Ezechias the kynge whan he heard that he should dye , pray to the LORDE in his bed , & obtayned to lyue . Nehem. ●● xv . yeres longer ? Dyd not Nehemias but lare vnto kyng Artaxerzes both do seruyce vnto his Lorde , & also pray vnto God ? Toby . viii . Dyd not Toby & Sara his wyfe pray vnto God in theyr houses ? Dyd not Iob pray vpon the dungehyll ? Iudith . xii . Dyd not Iudith praye vnto the LORDE in her Oratory , & diuers other places ? Dani. vi . Dyd not Daniel , when he serued the wycked kynge knele downe & pray vnto the LORDE thryse euery daye in his chamber ? Dyd not he praye to God , Dani. xi●● . whan he was cast into the denne of Lyons ? Dyd not Ionas pray in the whales belly ? Ionas . ii . Hester . xiiii . Dyd not quene Hester praye secretlye in her chamber ? Daniel . xiii . Dyd not Susanna pray in the streate , as she wente for to be stoned vnto deathe ? Dyd not Ieremye praye vnto God , when he was in prysonne ? Luke . vi . Dyd not Christ customably praye on the mountaynes in the feld ? Math. xxvi . Dyd he not pray in the gardyns ? Dyd he not praye hangynge vpon the crosse ? Math. xxvii . Actum . vii . Dyd not Stephen pray to God , whan ne was stoned vnto death ? Actum . ii . Dyd not the Apostles wyth certayne women , & Mari the mother of Iesu & his brothers praye togither after Christes ascencion in a parloure ? Actum . x. Dyd not Cornelius the Centurion pray at home in his house ? Dyd not Peter praye in the ouer parte of the house of Symon the Canner ? Actum . xxi . Dyd not Paule with his companyons praye in dyuers places , as cities , townes , felde s , see banckes , shyppes , prysons . & c ? Were not all these heard ? yes verely , & theyr peticions graunted them mercifully . What do we learne of all these Histories ? Certes that a faythfull christian is bound to no place . Wher soeuer a faithful man prayeth , he shal vndoutedly beheard . Christ sayd to the woman of Samaria : Ioan. iiii . Woman beleue me , the houre commeth , whan neither in this mountayne , nor at Ierusalem ye shall worshyp the Father . Ye worshyp ye knowe not what . We worshyp that we knowe . For helth is of the Iues. But the houre commeth , & nowe it is , whan true worshyppers shall worship the father in spiryte & trueth . For the father also seketh suche the maye worshyp hym . For God is a spiryte , and they that worshyp hym , muste worshyp him in spirite & trueth . Saynt Paule also sayth , i. Tim. ii . I wyll that men praye in euery place , lyftynge vppepure handes wythout wrath & contencion . But let vs heare what Chrisostome sayth .

¶ The. xxiii . Chapter .

LEt vs not excuse our selues sayenge , Home . lxxxix de oratione . that it is no easye thynge for a man beynge entangled with worldly businesses to praye , seynge that he hath no oratory nor house fytte for prayer nygh vnto hym . For wher so euer thou be , thou mayst make and appoynt thyne altare . For the place hyndereth nothynge , neyther dothe the tyme let , but though thou doste not bowe thy knees , nor knocke thy brest , nor stretche out thy handes to heauen , yet mayst thou pray aright & make thy prayer perfecte , so that thou only shewest & bryngest forth a feruent mynde . For thou mayst whan thou goest vnto markette , & walkest by thy selfe alone , make longe prayers . Thou mayst also syttynge in thy shoppe , & sowynge skynnes dedicate thy soule vnto the LORDE . The seruaunt also that byeth , or goeth vp & downe , & the Cooke doyng his office whan he can not go to chyrche , may make a prayer longe & discrete . For God disdaineth not the place , but requyreth one thynge , that is to saye , a feruent mynde , & a pure soule . For Paule also , not in an Oratory , but in the prison lyenge wyde open , nor stondynge ryghte vp , nor bowynge his knees , for the clogge , wherwyth his feete were bound , dyd not suffer hym , yet seynge that he lyenge prayed feruently , he shaked the prysonne vnlosoned the foundacions , & dydde bynd the keper of the pryson , & afterward brought hym vnto holy religion . And Ezechias not stonding right vp , nor bowynge hys knees , but lyeng wyde open in his bedde bycause of his syckenes , whan he turned hymselfe vnto the wall , in asmuche as he called vpon God feruently & wyth a pure soule , he both called agayne the sentence pronounced , obtayned much beneuolence , & was restored to hys olde helth . And the these beyng stretched out vpon the crosse , wyth fewe wordes purchased the heauenvly kyngdome . And Ieremy in the myre and lake , & Daniel in the prysone and amonge the wylde beastes . And Ionas in the belly of a whale , prayeng vnto God , dyd both dissolue all maner of euels , wherwith they were beseged , compassed & set about , and also found fauoure at the hande of God , what than oughteste thou to saye , when thou prayest ? Uerely euen the same thynge that the woman of Canane dyd . For euen as she sayd . Haue meroye on me , my doughter is greuously vexed of a dyuell , so say thou lykewyse , haue mercye vpon me , my soule is very greuously vexed of a diuell . For synne is a great dyuell , she that had the dyuell dyd fynde mercy , & yet was she hated ; whan she dyd syn ? Haue mercy on me , is but a short saienge , yet doth it contayns an whole see of mercy . For wher soeuer mercy is , ther are all good thinges . Though thou be without the chyrch , cry , sayeng , haue mercy on me though thou dost not moue thy lyppes , but onlye crye in thy mynde . For God also heareth them that holde theyr peace . Ther is no place to be sought , but a begynnyng of a place . Ieremy was in the myre , & he made God bounteous vnto hym by prayer . Iob was on the dunge hyll , & he made God mercyfull vnto hym . Ionas was in the whales bellye , & he had God gentle to hym . Though thou be in a vayne praye . Wher so euer thou be , praye . Thou arte the temple , seke no place . The see was before the Iewes , and the Egipcians behynd at theyr backes , & Moses in the myddes speking nothynge , for he was greatlye troubled in his prayer , yet sayd God vnto hym , what cryest thou to me ? In lyke maner thou therfore , whan soeuer temptacion shal come vpon the , flye vnto God , & call on the LORDE . Is he a man , that thou shouldest seke after a place ? God is euer at hande . For thou yet spekynge , he wyll say : Beholde here I am presente . Thou hast not yet made thy praier , and he bryngethe helpe . For yf thou haste a mynde pure from vncleane mocions , though thou be in the market , or in way , or in the consystory , or in the see , or in the ynne , or in the shyppe , or in onye other place of the worlde , loke where so euer thou calleste on God , there mayest thou obtayne thy peticion .

Hytherto haue I rehersed the wordes of S. John Chrisostome . De bet a innocen . cap. cccxiii . Lyke vnto this wryteth Sayncte Austen , sayenge : Why dost thou seke for a fytte and holy place , whan thou shouldest make thy supplicacion to God ? make cleane thy inward partes , & all eue● lustes expulsed from thence , prepare thy selfe a secrete place in the peace of thy herte . Thou wyllyng to pray in the temple , praye in thy selfe , and so behaue thy selfe alway that thou mayste be the temple of God . For God heareth there , where he dwelleth .

Thus se●we both by the authoryte of the holy scriptures , & the auncient fathers , that a faythfull & Chrysten man may praye lawfully in euery place , 1. Cor. iii. ● . vi 11. Cor. vi . in asmuch as he is the temple of God , as S. Paule sayeth : Do ye not knowe that ye are the Temple of God , & the spiryte of God dwelleth in you ? The Temple of God is holy which you are . Math. vi . And this is it the christ sayth : Whan thou shalt praye , enter into thy closette , & the dore sparred , praye to thy father , whiche is in secrete . Therfore let hym the shall pray , nothynge feare to praye vnto God in euery place boldly , wyth this perswasion that God wil heare him , & grafit him his hertes desyre i what soeuer place he be .

¶ The xxiiii . Chapter .

I Haue not spoken these thynges to make ony pson for to haue the lesse deuocion to go vnto the Chyrche & accustomed place of prayer , Slaunder not ye syco phantes . when time requy●eth ( whiche thynge God forbyd that anye man contrary to my meanyng should gather of these my wordes , or thereby be occasioned the lesse to obserue and kepe the commendable order of thys Realme nowe a dayes vsed among vs ) but to shewe that a faythefull Chrysten man maye lawefullye by Goddes worde praye in euery place , with thys perswasion the God wyl also heare him in euery place , Mat. xxi . Marc. xi . Luk. xix . yea & that whan soeuer he prayeth , so that his prayer be made accordynge vnto the wyll of god , & as I haue taught heretofore . For we reade that Christ at dyuers tymes dyd so approue & allowe the temple of Ierusalem , Ioan. ii . Esa. lvi . Iere. vii . that of the very same place he rehearsed this text of the holy scripture , my house shall be called the house of prayer . Agayn he droue out with whyppes such as dyd bye & sell in the temple , declaryng thereby , that it was a place of more holines , & of greater pryce in the sight of God , than that ony prophane businesses myght lawfullye be in it exercysed . He also many tymes preached in the Temple , & it is not to be doubted but that he also vsed there to praye . Agayne , we reade that the Apostles after Christes ascension repared thyther oftentymes bothe to preach & praye . Act. iii. Places therfore dedicated to prayer ought not to be despysed nor abhorred , but vsed vnto the end for the which they were instituted

Mat. xviii Christ sayth , wher soeuer two or thre shal be gathered togyther in my name , there am I in the myddes of them . Nowe in Chyrches it is to be thought that many are gathered togyther in Christes name , therfore is Christ there amonge them . Seyng that he is so , euery man ought ioyefully to repare thyther , whan they maye conueniently , but chefely when the tyme & publyque order doth require , & ther both faithfully to pray deuoutly to be present at the ministracion of the moost blessed Sacrament of the altare Christes very body and bloud , & dilygently to read or heare the worde of God , & furthermore to do such thinges , as the place & tyme shall than requyre . At all other tymes whan so euer a christen man shal be desposed to praye , let hym praye boldely , and althoughe he be not in the chyrche , yette let hym nothynge doute , but that his prayer shall ther also be hearde and graunted .

¶ After what maner a chrysten man ought to pray .

¶ The .xxv. Chapter .

NOwe it remaynethe to declare after what manner a Christen man ought to pray . In the declara●ion hereof it shall be necessary , that he whiche wyll praye aryght , doth fyrst consyder what he is to whome he muste praye . Who it is vnto whom we praye . Agayne , what he hym selfe is that prayethe . It is no man nor Aungel , but God which is prayed vnto , whome the angelike potestates do reuerently feare , whom all the whole company of heauen do magnify , commende , prayse , worshyp & honour , Iacob . ii . Phil. ii . whom the diuels do feare , tremble & shake for dreade , in whose name euerye knee bothe of thynges in Heauen , of thynges in earth , & of thynges vnder the earth do bowe , whiche is of puyssaunt power i holynes terrible , Exo. xv . Deut. iiii . Heb. xiii . al prayse worthy , & doynge meruaylous thynges which is a consumynge fyre , whiche is a great LORDE aboue all the Gods , ii . Pat. ii . ●ester . xiii . Iob. xxxvi● . Iere. xxxii . Exo. xxxiiii● . which is the LORDE of all thinges , & no man can resyst his maieste , which is great in strength , iudgement and ryghteousnes , whose eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of Adam , & in whose syght no creature is innocent .

Whan he hath on this manner considered of God , than must he ponder what hym selfe is , euen a very miserable sinner , What he is , that prayer●● destitute of all goodnes , voyde of all godlynes , & vnworthye to approche vnto the throne of the diuyne maiesty . For this humiliacion of our selues helpeth greatly to the auauncement of our prayer . For the more that ony man deiecteth & throweth downe himselfe , the nerer is he made vnto God . Luk. xviii . The Pharise was farre of from god , although he stode nexte vnto the Propiciatory , remembrynge his good dedes , & despisynge other men in comparison of hymselfe . The Publicane , which stondynge a farre of prayed , came nygher vnto God . For the LORDE is hyghe , & yet doth he beholde humble thynges , he knoweth high thynges a farre of , he despyseth the hawty , & loketh on the prayer of the humble , & the prayer of them doth not he despyse . Wylte y● heare , howe hygh a thynge the prayer of a man , whiche humbleth hymselfe , is ? The wyse man teacheth this thyng sayenge : Eccl xxxv . The prayer of hym that humbleth hymselfe , shall pearse & go thorowe the cloudes , & tyll it draweth nyghe , it shall not be conforted , and it shall not comme downe vntyll the moost hyghest doth looke vpon it .

This humilitie do we reade to be much vsed amonge holy men , Dan. ix . in tymes past . Daniel prayed on this manner , not in our owne ryghteousnesses O LORDE do we powre oute oure prayers before the , but in thy great mercyes . Heare vs , O LORD , LORDE be mercifull vnto vs . Heare vs , and do these thynges that we aske , yea & that for thyne owne sake . Baruc. ii . Also Baruch , the soule , sayth he , that is bered for the multytude of her synnes , which goeth on heuely and wekely , whose eyes begynne to fayle , surely such a soule ascrybeth prayse , glory & ryhhteousnes vnto the O LORDE . Not for the ryghteousnes of our fathers do we powre out our prayers in thy syght , & aske mercy before thy face , O LORDE our God , but bycause thou arte mercyfull . Haue therfore mercy on vs , for we haue synned before the.

This consideracion once had both of god & of hymselfe , wherby he hath learned God to be ryghteous , hymselfe vnryghteous , God to be good , hymself euel , God to be holy , himself prophane . God to be honorable , hym selfe miserable , God to be pure , hym selfe vnpure , God to be immaculate hymselfe spotted wyth all kynde of synne , God to be hyghe , & nothynge more hygh , Meanes to prouoke the mercy of God toward hym that shal pray hymselfe to be vyle , & nothynge more vyle : than must he before his praier vse some menes wherby , he maye excyte & stoore vp the beneuolence and good wyll of God towarde hym , & so adourne & garnysh hymselfe with ghostlye operacion , the both he & his prayer maye be the more acceptable in the syght of God . An example . For who dare come vnto a Kynges or Emperoures presence for to desyre onye thynge of them , excepte fyrste of all he so composeth hymselfe , that nothing maye offend theyr eyes ? He putteth on clenly apparell , he kymbethe his head , he wassheth his body , yea & also perchaunse annoynteth it , and so appoynteth hymselfe in euery condicion , that nothynge maye displease them , but rather allure them to the syght of hym , & the hearynge of hys peticion . Semblablye it shal be conuenient for hym that wyll pray vnto God with fruyte , & hath truly with hym selfe consydered the highnes of god , & the humblenes of hymselfe , to gyue diligence that he on such sorte composeth hymselfe , that there be nothyng in hym that may offend the eyes of god but the his praier may be fauourably accepted & graciously hearde . And that this thynge maye come to passe , it shal be necessary that he followeth the aunciente & holy fathers in tymes paste , which whan they offered theyr prayers vnto god . Used continually both to faste & gyue almes . For as Thoby sayth , Toby . xii . prayer is good with fastynge & almes , better than to hyde vp treasures of golde . For almes doth delyuer from death , & it is that whiche purgeth synnes .

¶ The .xxvi. Chapter .

FYrst as concernyng fastyng , Behold of what occasion fastyng we must know that it ought to procede from a contryte , humble , & sorowfull harte , ought to ryse , and what it is to taste . & from such a soule as taketh displesure with it selfe that she hath ben no more circumspecte in the accomplysshment of Gods wyll , for the which she beynge sory & dolorous , casteth awaye the delectation and pleasure of worldely thynges , as eating , drynkynge , banckettyng , wearynge of gorgious apparell , with all other mundane vanities , & streyghtwaye with al humilite of mynde & submission of herte approchethe by syncer fayth & true repentaunce vnto the moost glorious throne of almyghty God , & there lamenteth her miserable state , bewayleth her to much synfull condicion , powreth oute the secretes of her herte , desyreth remission of her synnes , hungre the & thyrstethe for strengthe to do the wyll of God . This kynde of fastyng accompanyeng prayer doth very much eleuate , extoll , & lyfte vp the prayer of the humble synner vnto the presence of GOD And this is it that Tobye sayth , Toby . xii . prayer is good wyth fastyng .

We read that whan Ionas at the commaundement of God came vnto the Niniuites , Ionas . ii . iii . preached vnto them , rebuked theyr synfull lyuynge , threatened them subuersion , destruccion , & the vtter decaye both of themselues & of theyr citie , Note and followe . they consternated with the reuolucion of theyr iniquitie dyd streyghtewayes deteste & abhorre so greatly theyr abhominable lyuyng , that they vtterlye layde asyde all theyr vayne pleasures , wherein so much before they delighted , & fell immediately vnto fastynge & prayer with such other godly exercises of the spyryte , so that by thys meanes God beholdynge theyr true & vnfayned conuersion had pytie on them , saued them , & receyued them into the nomber of hys welbeloued people . iiii . Eso . v. Esdras also at diuers tymes dyd both faste & pray seuen dayes togyther , that he myght vnderstond the hygh misteries of God . We haue fasted , i. Esd. viii . sayethe he , & prayed vnto the LORDE for a fortunate and quiet iourney , & it hath chafised vnto vs prosperously . ii . Reg. xii . Agayne Dauid for the lyfe of his chylde , which was sycke , dyd both faste & praye a longe season , & woulde eate no meate nor dryncke . I haue prayde sayth Daniel , to the LORDE my God in fastyng , Dan. ix . sackeclothe , & asshes . Iudith also fasted & prayed the moost parte of her lyfe in the vppermooste parte of her house , Iud. viii . & before she slew Holofernes , she many tymes fasted and prayed . Moreouer Quene Hester for the delyuerance of her people dyd fast and praye thre dayes & thre nyghtes , He● . iiii . before she went vnto the kynge . Sara the doughter of Raguel dyd faste & pray thre dayes & thre nightes , that she myghte be delyuered from a certaine impropery and rebuke . Toby . iii. Paule before he was baptysed dyd continue in prayer & fastynge at the Cytie of Damascum thre dayes & thre nyghtes . Act. ix . Luk. ii . Luke also in his gospel sheweth howe that a certayne woman called Anna the doughter of Phanuel beynge a Prophetysse went for the moost parte neuer oute of the Temple , but gaue her mynde to fastyng & prayer both nyght & daye . Mat. ix . Agayne Christe sayth , this kynde of dyuelles is not ●aste oute but by prayer & fastynge . And it is not to be douted , Mat. iiii . but that Christe hymselfe , whan he fasted the forty dayes & forty nyghtes , dyd also praye vnto God his father , as at many other times . The same also is to be thoughte of the Apostles and other holy men .

Thus se we how necessary a thing ●t is to ioyne fasting with prayer , Therfore sayethe Peter : ● Pet. iiii . Be ye sober , and watch in prayer . Also S. Paule , let vs walke honestly as in the day , not in excesse of eatynge & dronckennes , not in chambrynge & wantonnesse , Rom. xiii . not in stryfe & enuyenge , but put ●● on the LORDE Iesus Christ , & make not prouysion for the fleshe to fulfyll the lustes of it . Hom. xv . super illud Mat. vi . Cum ierunatio . Hereto pertayneth● the sayenge of oure golden mouthed Doctor S. Iohn Chrisostom , fastig● sayeth he , is an helpe to prayer . For prayer without fastynge , is but gra●● cyle , slender & weake . The prayer is valeaunt & stronge , whiche is made in an humble spirite and a troubled hert , as the Prophet sayth , a Sacrifyce to God is a troubled spiryte , a contryte & humbled herte God wyll not despyse . Psal. i. But an humble spyryte and contryte herte can he not haue , whiche eateth & dryncketh , & setteth all his mynde on delicious fare . For bread maketh stronge the herte , and wyne maketh it mery . The strength that commeth of bread suffreth not the spiryte of the flesh to be humble , & the merines that commeth of wyne , dothe not suffer the herte to be con●rite . Therfore when soeuer the holy menne would praye to obtayne ony thyng of God wherof they had nede , they euer ioyned fastyng with prayer , as Daniel & other dyd . And in as much as fastyng is the vertue of prayer , therfore are they neuer seperated a sunder , but are euer put togyther . Prayer is good with fastyng . Cob. xii . Mat. ix . Agen , This kynd of dyuels is not cast out but by prayer & fastynge . Therfore as a Souldioure is nothynge with oute armoures , nor armoures withoute a Souldioure , so is prayer nothyng without fastyng , nor fastyng withoute prayer . Hyther to haue I rehersed the wordes of S. Iohn Chrisostome , wherof we maye easelye gather howe necessary fastyng is vnto the auauncemente of prayer before God . Ser. de Ieiu et Cent. Christi . Here to pertayneth the sayeng of saynt Cipriane , prayer is mighty in operacion , so that fastynge goeth before . To be brefe concernyng this matter , fastynge muste nedes make hyghly to the auauncement of praier seyng that he which fasteth aright , cont●meth worldly thinges , Note what it is to fast a ryghte despiseth pleasure , hateth rytches , abhorrethe th● workes of the flesshe , mortifyeth carnall affectes , & is vtterly giuen , fyxed & bent to the fruytes of the spirite . Therfore he that entendeth to pray with fruyte , shall not a lytle ana●ice & set forwarde his prayer , yf on this manner he applyeth hymselfe for to praye .

¶ The .xxvii. Chapter .

Of Almes MOreouer as this kynde of fastynge dothe very muche promoue a christen mans prayer , & maketh it greatly to be accepted in the syght of God , so doth almes and the glad distribucion of worldly goodes vpon the poore members of Christ in lyke manner garnysh , adourne , and make very pleasaunt the humble supcacion of a synner in the eyes of the diuine maiesty , as we read of Cornelius , to whome the aungell sayd , thy prayers & thyne Almesses are come vp into remembraunce before God . Act. x. Behold howe he ioyneth prayer and almes togyther . Toby in lyke manner sayeth , Tob. xii . Prayer is good with fastyng & almes . Lo , here is combyned & ioyned togyther prayer , fastynge , & almes , as thynges necessarye concurren . The wyse man also sayth , Eccl. vii . to praye and gyue almes , despyse not . Blessed is he , Psal. xi . sayth Dauid , that consydereth the nedy & poore , the LORD shall delyuer hym in the daye of hys trouble . Christe also sayth : Gyue ye almes , Luk. xii . & behold al thynges are clene vnto you . Nyther to pertayneth the ●ayenge of Chrisostome , Hom. xv . in cap. vi . Math. It is wrytten , sayth he , in the lawe : Enter not ●nto the syghte of y● LORDE thy God ●oyd or empty . Uerely he entreth in ●mpty before God , which commyng vnto prayer , Math. this wel . doth no almes . Agayne he sayeth , he prepareth his soule before prayer , whiche doynge almes commeth vnto prayer , For as oyle dothe kyndle the lyght of a lampe , so dothe good workes excite & store vp the faith of the herte , & gyue boldenes to pray vnto God .

An obieccion . But it wyll perchaunce be obiected , eueryeone can not gyue almes , for they wante substaunce , shall not they therfore praye & be heard ? I answere , as by fastynge , The aunswere . I do not only vnderstond the abstinence from meates & drynckes , but also the mortificacion of carnall affectes , & the contempte of mundane pleasures ( without the which the externall and outwarde fastynge is nothynge els thi● diabolicall Hypocrisye and wycked dissimulacion ) so lykewyse by almes I meane not only the benificence towarde the indigent , Note here of fastyng and almes poore and nedy , which without doubte is a singuler and muche prayse worthy worke before God , but also the desyre of heauenvly thinges , & a wyl vtterly estraunged from all carnall concupiscences & fleshly lustes . So that he which entendeth to praye with fruyte , yf he can not do the one , yet oughte he to do the other of necessite , & to be enflamed with the desyre of thynges celestiall , that he maye saye with the Psalmographe , Psal. xii . as the herte desyreth to the fountaynes of waters , so dothe my soule desyre vnto the O God . My soule is a thyrst for God that liuing fountayne , whan shall I come to appeare before the face of God ? Agayn O how amiable are thy dwellynges thou LORDE of hostes , Psa. lxxxiii . my soule hath a desyre and longyng for the courte of the LORDE . My herte & my flesshe reioyce in the lyuyng God . Phil. i. This heuenlye mynde was in S. Paule lyuynge here in this worlde , whan he sayde , I desyre to be losoned oute of this mortall body , & to be with Christ. Fastyng & almes are Y ● two wynges of prayer . Seynge therfore that fastynge and almes are so necessary to the promocion and furtherance , to the eleuacion and lyftynge vp of prayer , & are called of certayne holy Doctors the two wynges of prayer , in asmuche as ●y them prayer flieth vp vnto the throne of the diuyne maieste , & is the better accepted in Gods presence , it shal be expedient for hym that entendeth to praye with fruite , to exercyse h●selfe somewhat before in fastynge and almes , on such manner as I haue taughte heretofore . So shall it come to passe , that God shall the more thanke fully accepte his prayer , and graunt him his hertes desyre . Not onlye the exercise of these two vertues , but also of all o●her , shall be necessarye for him that prayeth , that he maye prouoke GOD the more b●nygnely to heare him . These thinges once done than let him praye , but after what manner I wyl expresse in few wordes .

¶ The. xxviii . Chapter .

FYrste aboue all thinges , The herte must be see on the praye● let him gyue earneste diligence the whyle he prayeth , his herte maye be seryously assyxed and set on his prayer , or els● he prayeth in vaine , according to this olde senience . Dum cor non orat , in uanum lingua laborat . That is to saye , whyle the herte doth not praye , the tonge laboureth in vayne . Esa. xxix . Christ also sayth , this people honoreth me with theyr lyppes , but theyr hert is farre from me Uerely they worship me in vayne For what great absurdite is this , Mat. xv . to desyre god to heare our pray els , and we oure selues do not heare them : What a kynd of prayeng is this to babble with our lyppes , Note . to ropōt with our throtes , piteously to shake oure heade , to sytte bare headed , to knele on the bare ground , to knocke our brestes , & yet to haue our mynd troubled & occupied about fyithye & vncleane thynges ? Is this a manner of prayenge to make God the father mercyfull to vs ? Yea it rather excite the and storethe vp his anger towarde vs . A poynte for your learnynge S. Austen feareth not to wryte on this manner , as the voice of a man without modulacion or swete armony , is as the voyce of s●yne or hogges , so is prayer withoute deuocion as the bellowynge of Oxes . There are two verses publysshed in the name S. Ierome , which seynge they are godly , and teache the true manner of prayenge , I thynke it conuenient to alleage them in this place . Non uox sed uotum , non cordula musica sed cor. Non clamans sed amans cantat in aure Der , That is to saye , not the voyce but the desyre , not the musicall instrument , but the herte , Not the cryer but the louer sigeth in the eare of God . Chriso . also wryteth on this maner : It is the duty of a deuout mynd to praye to God , not with the voyce or with the sound of the voyce , Hom. xiiiii . D● Ioan. et Paule . Fe●o . but with the deuocion of the mynde , & wyth the sayth of the herte , Agayne he sayth , thecrienge of the voice is not the worke in prayer vnto God , whome we knowe the he beholdeth the secretes of the hert , but the cryeng of fayth , & the deuocion of a religious & godlymīd , therfore the best way to pray is to pray with the hert mynde , spiryte , soule , & inward man .

Nowe it wyll be demaunded , ● Demaūdg whither a christen man oughte to praye with an open voyce or not . Although I haue spoken sufficiently concernyng this matter in the diffinicion of prayer , yet I wyll here adde thre wordes as they saye , Note whan we may lawfully pray ●● voyce . touchynge this thynge also . Althoughe prayer be the worke of the spiryte , and not of the voyce , of the herte and not of the lyppes , of the mynde and not of the mouth , yet is not the externall sound of the voyce to be condemned , whyther it be in readynge or syngynge , so that it followeth the affeccion of the mynd , and doth seruyce vnto that . For seinge the glory of God ought to shine after a certayne manner in all the partes of our body , Why she tonge was made . it is conuenient that the tonge chefely be addicte & giuen to this ministry and seruyce both in syngynge and speakyng , which was chefely made to declare and preache the magnificence , laude & prayse of God . Therfore so that the tong and the herte do consent and agre togyther , beyng alyke occupied in the effusion of the prayer , it is not only tollerable , but also commendable to pray both with tonge and herte .

Of externall gestures . Nowe as concernyng the externall gesture in prayenge , as knelyng , knockyng on the brest , lyftynge vp of the handes . &c. in asmuch as they be indifferent , & we reade that they were vsed of Christ & many holy men in times past , they are not to be despised . Nothynge is vnsyttynge that procedeth from the seruent affeccion of the mynd . But I haue spoken of this thynge also before in the diffinicion of prayer . Therfore wyll I haste to these thinges that remaine , as more necessary to be intreated of .

¶ For what thynges we ought to praye .

¶ The. xxix . Chapter .

FOr asmuche as we are so ignorant & blynde of oureselues the we knowe not what we shoulde desyre , Rom. viii . as we ought , vnles we shoulde aske ony thynge vnsyttynge , & otherwyse than becommeth vs , or that shoulde not be acceptable to God , our sauiour Christ wyilyng in this behalfe to succour our necessite , Mat. vi . & to helpe our ignorancy & blyndnes , hath appoynted & set forth as it were in a certaine table the true manner of prarenge in the Pater noster , wher he hath compendiously declared for what thynges we ought to pray eyther pertaynynge to the glorye of God , or to the profitte of so many as professe his moost holy name . And although euery daye and euery houre doth offer to vs occasions sufficiently for to praye vnto God , yea & that for innumerable causes , yet it maye seme that Christ i that prayer which he taught his disciples , hath in sewe wordes comprehended whatsoeuer we haue nede to praye for . The glory of God oughte we to seake●t our prayers chefely Therfore who soeuer at any tyme shal be mynded to praye , let hym aboue all thynges seke the auauncement of Gods glory in his prayer . For the fyrst peticion of the Pater noster , with the nexte two that followe , pertayne only to the glory of GOD , wherin we aske that the name of God maye be sanctified , the his kingdome may reigne amonge vs , that his wyll maye be done here in earthe as it is in heauen . So lykewyse dyd Christe a lytle before his passion , Ioan. xii . pray , sayeng : O father glorify thy name . Goddes glory therfore ought we to seke aboue all thinges in our prayers at al tymes

After that we haue sought the glory of God , Secondly for our soules health . place requireth that then we should aske those thynges , which pertaine vnto the euerlasting helth & saluacion of oure soules . For the helth of our soules oughte to be desyred before the welthe of our body , as Christ monyssheth , fyrst seke the kingedome of God and the righteousnesse therof . Mat vi . And all these thynges ( he speketh of meate , dryncke & clothe ) shall be caste vnto you . Dauid also sayth one thyng haue I desyred of the LORD whiche I wyll require , Psal. xxvi namely that I maye dwell in the house of the LORDE all the dayes of my lyfe .

And in asmuch as the syncer prechynge Chyr●el●● or the promocion of gods worde . of Gods word helpeth much vnto the saluacion of our soules ( for the Gospell of Christ is the power of God vnto saluacion for euery one the beleueth , Rom. 1. Deut viii . Mat. iiii . Rom. x. & a man shall not lyue with bre●d alone , but with euery worde the commeth out of the mouth of God , for fayth commeth by ●earyng , and hearynge by the worde of God ) it shal be necessarye for vs to praye the Gods worde maye haue fre passage among vs , & that all wicked doctrine , supersticious teachynge , heresy , ●●strall opinions , sictes & all that euer is contrary to wholsome doctryne , maye be exiled & banisshed out of Christes chyrch . Praye for those thynges , sal● eth Dauid , Psal. ●xxi . that make vnto the peace of Ierusalem , that is , vnto the safe , quiet , lucky , & prosperous preseruacion of Christes chyrch , that the doctryne of the gospel , which bryngeth peace & quietnes to the hertes of the faythfull , maye triumphantly reygne amonge vs . Luk. i. Forthly for the ministers of Gods worde . But in asmuch as this Euangelion and glad tydynges of christ can neuer be ministred to the christen congregacion withoute syncer & true preachers of the worde , therfore oughte ●e also praye , the at Ante christes , Papistes , Heretikes , Schismatyckes , & sedicious praters submoued & put asyde , true Euangelystes , Rom. xi faythefull Prophetes , & sync●r Preachers , maye reygne among vs vniuersallye . For howe shall they preach , mat . ix . except they be sent . Therfore sayth Christ , praye vnto the LORDE of the Heruest , that he may shoreforth workemen into his Heruest .

Moreouer seynge that we haue ●uot only a soule but also a body , Fy●tely for ● magistrates o the publique weale . and God hathe appoynted ministers for them hath , it shall alio be conuenient accordyng to the admonicion of S. Paule , to praye for the magistrates of the publique weale , as for our most ●edoubted & moost excellent kynge , & for all other that are in authoritie , that we maye lead a peasable & quiet lyfe , vnder theyr dominion wyth all godlynes and honestye . 1. Eim. ii . Syrtely for corporall thynges . After these thynges it shal not be vnsyttynge to praye for thynges necessary for our body , as meate , drinke cloth , frendshyp , helth , wisdom , knowledge , reason . &c. yet in the requeste of al these thinges aforesayd , we must referre the matter whollye vnto the wyll of God , & be contented to receaue as it shall be his pleasure to gyue , eyther much , lytle , or nothynge .

Of god a loue we oughte to aske all good thynges . To be short , what soeuer we haue nede of , we must streight wayes run vnto God & aske it of him only , why ther it pertayneth to the soule or to the body , whiche gyuethe to all men without doublenes , & casteth no man into the tethe , as S. Austen sayeth : We ought to aske of none but of the LORDE God , E●ench● . ad Laurēcap . cx●ii . what soeuer we truste that we eyther should worke well , or obtayne for good workes .

¶ The. xxx . Chapter .

BUt this is to be noted in prayer that in asmuche as all that professe Christ vnfaynedly , haue one common & heauenvly father , & are brothers one to another yee brothers to christ & fellowe heyres with hym , Rom. viii . & seynge that Christe also hath taught vs in his moost godly prayer , not onlye to praye for oure selues , but also for all other in common , Mat. vi . it shall be necessary that a christen man doth so directe his prayer vnto God , that he maye seme no lesse to seke in it the helpe of his Christen brothers , than of hymselfe . For true & vnfayned Charite , which procedeth from a pure herte & a good conscience , & a fayth not fayned , seketh not her owne , i. Tim. ● . i. Cor. xiii . but rather that whiche pertaynethe to other . She reioyceth no lesse in the health of other than in her owne . Beholde what charite doth . She taketh no lesse thought to profit other than her selfe . She reioyceth wyth them that reioyce , Rom. xii . i. Cor. xiii . & wepeth with them that wepe . Yea she many tymes forgetteth her selfe , & is wholly bent to seke the commoditie of other , as S. Paule sayth , Exo. xxxii . Charite seketh not her owne . We read that such feruent charite was in Moses , which whan the people of Israell had greuously offended God by worshippynge the golden Calfe , perceyuynge the wrath of God to be whotte agaynst them , prayed on this manner & sayde , oh this people haue done a greate synne , and haue made them Goddes of golde . Nowe forgyue them theyr synne , or els wipe me out of this boke , Rom. ix . that thou hasle wrytten . S. Paule also wyssted hymselfe to be cursed from Christ for the Israelites . Christ commaundeth to blesse than that cursse vs , mat . v. to praye for them that do vs wronge & persecute vs howe much more than ought we , seynge ther is one bo●y & one spirite , Ephe. iiii . one LORDE , one sayth , one baptisme one God & father of vs all , to praye one for another generally in the vnite of the spiryte thorowe the bond of peace . If we search in the Histories of the moost sacred Byble , we shal in manny places fynde and euidently perceyue with howe gredy affeccion and feruent minde one prayed for another , so the there was in theyr prayers a certayne godly communion , & a l●ke thought or care for all men . Note this similytude . For as he that loueth the father of the house holde vnfaynedly , doth also loue hertely all his whole familye , so in lyke manner they that loue our celestial father with a true affecte & mynde , can none otherwise do but loue also his people , his householde . his heritage , Ephe. i. whom he hath so greatly honored the he hathe not disdayned to call them the plenitude & fulnesse of hys onlye begotten sonne . Our prayers ought to be common . Therfore the prayer of a Christen man oughte on such manner to be made , that it may be common & comprehende in it all men that are his brothers in Christ , and pertayne to the housholde of fayth . Yea he ought to praye for all men lyuyng in this world , be they Turkes Saracennes , Iewes or ony other of the hethenysh & vnfaythfull sorte , the God maye delyuer them by this holy spiryte out of the darkenesses of ygnorancy , & brynge them into the meruaylous lyghte of his mooste blessed worde , that in the vnite of the Spirite they maye also confesse with vs one LORDE , one God , one sauyoure , one faythe , one Christen religion , & one trueth .

A question But some men wyll say peraduenture , is it not lawefull for a man to praye seuerally for himselfe , & for his owne priuate affayres ? The aunswere . Yies verely , so that the mynde be not vtterly deflected & turned awaye from the contemplacion of this communite , but referreth all thynges vnto that . mat . xxvi For Christ prayed perticularely for hymselfe vnto hys Father a lytle before his passion . i●ii . Reg. xx Esa. xxxviii . Psa i. Luke . xviii math. xxvi Ezechias prayed for his owne health . Dauid prayed for the remission of his synne . The Publycane desyred mercy & forgyuenes of his offence . The these desyred Christ to remember hym , whan he came in to his kyngedome . All theise prayed theyr owne priuate affayres , & were hearde . Semblably it is lawfull for euery Christen man to lamente his owne cause before the mercyful eies of the diuyne maieste .

Arte thou a magistrate & gouernoure of the common weale , Magistrate perceyuynge that thou wanteste wisdome to gouerne the people of God aright & accordyng to iustyce . iii. Re. iii. Than mayst thou lawfully pray with Salomon to God for the gyfte of wisdome .

Arte thou a minister of Goddes worde , Minister of Gods Lord so mayst thou after the example of the Apostles pray for the influence of the holy Ghost , that the mayst be repleted with the knowledge of spiritual thynges , Act. i. & so feed the flocke of Christ , Act. xx . whome he hath purchased with his moost precious bloud , i. Pet. v. that thou mayst receiue the īmarcessible crowne of glory , whan that Prynce of shepe heardes shall appeare .

Housholder . Arte y● an housholder ? than mayst thou lawefullye praye vnto God for grace , that thou mayst gouerne and rule thy family accordynge to Goddes moost holy worde .

Rytch man . Arte thou a rytch man , than oughtest thou for to pray vnto God , that thou mayeste distribute his goodes commytted vnto the accordyng to his pleasure vpon the poore people . Arte thou poore ? Poore man than pray to God that thou mayst paciently suffer the crosse of pouerte , which he hath layd vpon the. Bi●iō● . Felest thou ony vyce to raygne in the ▪ So mayeste thou be ●olde to praye vnto GOD for the suppression of that vyce , and for the obtaynynge of the vertue contrary to the vyce .

To be shorte , Christen man arte thou a Christen man ? So mayst thou at al tymes be bolde to praye that God maye so endewe the with strength from aboue , that thou mayst lyue in all poyntes accordynge to thy profession .

¶ The. xxxi . Chapter .

BUt in thus prayenge for our selues we must take hede , that we desyre not those thinges , which should turne to oure owne priuate auauntage , & to the hynderaunce or discommoditie of other . For this is not acceptable in the syght of God . Math. xx . Mar. x. The chyldren of Zebedeus desyred Christe . the one of them might sitte on his right hande , & another on his lyfte hande . But Christ answered and sayde , ye knowe not what ye aske . They desyred the primacy , & to be alofte in superioryte aboue a● the disciples , which made the other to haue indignacion at them b● the. Nota That Peticion therfore is not lawefull nor ryghteous , whiche hathe a respecte more to pryuate auauntage than to publique vt● lite . Examples As yf a Phisicion shoulde praye that many might faull sycke or that they that are sycke , myght so contynue longe , that he myghte haue the more auauntage . Or yf an heyre dyd praye that his parentes myght dye wortly , that the heritage myght quickely chaunse vnto hym . Or yf a wicked Souldiour dyd desyre that many temples might be spoyled , and diuers honest men robbed , the he myght come home looden with proyes and robberies .

These & such lyke requestes , in as muche as they come for the from the fleshe , and not from the spiryte , God , whiche is a spiryte , Ioan. iiii . dothe not heare them , Ia. iiii . as S. Iames sayth , ye aske and receyue not , bycause ye aske euell , the ye maye consume it on your pleasures . And yf he heareth , certes he heareth vnto the great euell & incommoditie of them the praye . For they store vppe & prouoke the anger of God towarde them . Ser liii . de ver. Dom. secund , Ioan S. Austen sayth , thinke it no great thyng to be herd at your owne wyll , but rather thyncke it a great thynge to be heard vnto your profytte . For the dyuels were herde at theyr owne wyl , & were suffred to go into the swyne accordyng to theyr desyre . matt. viii . Theyr Prynce also the diuell was heard at his owne wyll , whiche desyred to haue Iob & to tempt him . Iob. i. The Israelites also were hearde at theyr owne wyll , & whan the meate was yet in theyr mouthe , Ex. xvi . Num. xi . ye knowe what thynges followed . Thyncke it therfore no great thynge to be heard at youre owne wyll & pleasure . For God sometyme beynge angrye gyueth that , which thou askest , & God beynge mercyfull & well pleased , denyeth that , which thou askest . But yet is theyr prayer much more wicked , which beyng enflamed with the fyre of malicious fury , & furious malyce , do desyre euell to them selues , that worse maye chaunse vnto theyr brother , whome they hate . Yea there want not , which not only coulde be content with all theyr hertes to lose one of theyr eyes , so that he , whome they hate , myght lose both , but also , put theyr owne lyues in iopardy to brynge deathe vnto other . O cruell tyranny . Such peticions be detestable , & are to the desyrers therof , not only much pernicious , but also very damnable , in asmuch as they stonde not with the order of Charite . This also is to be iudged of them , whiche curse and banne such as they hate . Let vs therfore aske nothynge , but that maketh to the glory of God the auauncement of his moost holy worde , the encrease of vertue , the destruccion of vyce , the helth of our soules , the conseruacion of the publigue weale , & the profytte of our neyghbour . Not● In all our peticions let vs submyt our selues to the wyll & pleasure of God nothyng doubtyng but that he wyl graunt vs that we aske , or els thynges of more weyghtye importaunce & more profitable for our saluacion . For it is not alwaye conuenient that we shoulde obtayne what soeuer we aske of God . He knowethe muche better what we haue nede of , then we our selues do . It is many tymes more expedient for vs to haue scasenes than aboundaunce , to be vexed with warres & persecucions than to enioy carnall securite & flesshely quietnes , to be sick than to be whole , to be tented than to be without tentacion Paule at diuers tymes desyred God that he myght be delyuered from the prych of the flesshe , ii . Cor. xii● but it was answered my grace is sufficient for the , & he reioyced in his in ●yrmite & weakenes . Therfore in al thynges let vs praye for godly & honeste thynges , beynge alwaye contented to receyue , as it shall be Gods moost holy pleasure to gyue .

¶ At what tyme we oughte to praye .

¶ The. xxxii . Chapter .

IF we consyder the inexplicable & manifold miseries , wherwith in this vale of calamite we are inuolued , wrapped and inclosed about on euery syde , we shall without ony great difficulte perceyue that we haue nede of nothyng so much as of prayer , yea and that feruente , assiduous & continuall . For the dyuell goeth about lyke a roaryng Lyon , sekynge whome he maye deuour . i. Pet. ● . The world also with his vayne pleasures is redye at euerye houre to seduce & lede vs awaye from our profession , yf we take not hede . Agayne the flesshe is so domesticall and nygh enemy vnto vs , that we can neuer be withoute it . Gal. v. It euer assaylethe vs . It allwaye fyghteth & lusteth contrary to the spirite . It turneth , as they saye , euery stonne to make vs enemies with God . The soldiour of Christ , sayth a certayne Doctor , Par●●●par● Crac. de Iusticia cap. xii . oughte not to put awaye from him the shelde of prayer so longe as the battayle endurethe . But the battayle endureth , Iob. vii . so longe as this present lyfe endureth , as Iob sayth , the lyfe of a man vpon the earthe is a warfare , & perels do neuer fayle therfore haue we nede continuallye of Gods helpe . Miserye dothe neuer want in this lyfe , therfore haue we euer nede of Gods mercy & continuall prayer . ii Tim. ii . Wherof it followeth that we haue greate nede of prayer at all tymes , yf we wyll be saued . For no man shal be crowned , excepte he warreth valeauntly . Apo. ii . To him that ouercommeth , sayth God , wyll I gyue to eate of the tree of lyfe , whiche is in ● myddes of the Paradyse of GOD . Our sauiour Christ therfore knowynge our imbecillite & weakenes to be no lesse than oure miserye & wretchednes , exortetth vs principallye & aboue all thynges to praye . Mat. xxvi Watche & praye , sayth he , that ye faul not in to tentacion . And in as much as our enemies cease not to fyghte agaynst vs by theyr craftye & subtyle assaultes , therfore oughte we not to cease for to fyght agaynst them with continuall prayers . For the prayer of a righous man , Iaco. v. sayethe S. Iames , auayleth muche . Luk. xviii . Christe in the Gospell of Luke proponeth a certayne parable of an vnrighteous Iudge & of a wydowe , wherin he teachethe that we ought to praye alwaye and neuer to cease , nor once to be werye . Read the Chapter . A Christen man oughte to praye at all tymes , & neuer to desyst and cease from prayenge . Therfore sayth S. Paule : Col. iiii● Continue in prayer & wacth in it with thankes gi●yng . Agayne : i. Thes. v. Reioyse alwaye , pray with out ceasyng , in all thynges giue thankes . Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. Peter , ● . Pet. iiii . be ye sober & watch vnto praier . For continuall prayer causethe that our enemies can not haue the vpper hande ouer vs . Yea continuall prayer makethe that the loue of celestiall goodes doth euer encrese in vs , which excepte it be oftentymes suscitated & stored vp with ardent desyres and feruent prayers , Not● as fyre is with wind , it fyrst abateth , & afterward by lytle & lytle it is vtterly quenched and put clene out . For as he is vnworthy to receyue ony thynge , whiche gyueth not thanckes for those thynges that he hath alredy taken , that is , whiche doth not knowledge & magnify the beneficence of God , so dothe not he deserue to enioy so great felicite , ioye & pleasure , which eyther doth not desyre it or els desyreth it coldly . Who feruently loueth a thinge , & doth not continually wish yey ● thyng which he loueth , maye chaunse to him . So that it is manifest of these thynges aforsayde , that we ought to praye at all tymes , & neuer cease , in asmuch as we haue at all tymes moost vrgent , weyghty & necessary causes .

¶ The. xxxiii . Chapter .

An obiection . BUt it wyll be obiected , howe is it possible for a man to praye at all tymes , & neuer to cease ? This is a thynge not onlye of impossibilite , but also contrary to the commaundement of Christ , Mat. vi . whiche sayeth , whan ye praye , speake not manny wordes . I answere , The aunswere . Christe in this aforsayde place doth not forbyd the assiduite & continuance of prayer , but the multiloquie & manner of bablyng in prayers , which the Ethnickes & Infidels dyd vse , trustyng by that theyr to much bablynge they shoulde the sooner be hearde , as we reade of those wycked Prophetes , which cried on the name of Baal from mornynge tyll nyght , sayenge none other thynge but this only , iii. Reg. xvi●● O Baal hear vs , O Baal hear vs . But the prophet Helias mocked them , sayenge , crye with a loweder voyce . For he is a God , but peraduenture he talkethe with some bodye , or is occupied in pursuynge his enemies , or is gone some iourney , or happely he slepeth , & would be waked & reysed vp with your cryinge . They cryed therfore with a great voice , & cutte themselues after the●r old maner with sweardes and botkyns , vntyll they were al on gore bloude . But all in vayne .

The wordes of Christe are these , whan ye praye , math. vi . speke not many wordes as the Ethnyckes do . For they thynke it should come to passe , that thorowe theyr bablynge they should be heard . Be not ye therfore lyke them For youre father doth knowe , what thynges ye nede , before ye aske o● him . Mark wel These wordes shew manifestly that Christ doth not condemne the assiduite & continuaunce of prayer , Lu. vi . xxii mat . xxvi . Luk: xviii : which bothe he hiselfe vsed , and also taught other the same , but the vayne loquasite & vnfruytfull bablyng annexed with this perswasion , that our prayers can not be herde , except we be euer inculkyng & beatynge them into the eares of God after the manner of the Hethen , as though God dyd rather heare vs for oure loquasite and bablynges sake , than for his mooste louynge and gentle promyse , or as thogh God were not so redy to giue , as we are to aske , if our peticions beaccordyng vnto his wyl . The Ethnickes mult●loquy & hethenysh bablynge doth Christe here not only forbyd , but also condēn● . Eccl: v : Therfore sayeth the wyse man , be not to rash in spekynge , neyther lette thy herte make hast to bryng forth a word in the sight of god . For god is in heuen , & thou art on the earth , & therfore let thy wordes be fewe . For as the dreame commethe of manifold businesses , so is the voyce of a foole in the multitude of wordes .

S. Iohn golden mouth vpon the aforsayd texte wryteth on this manner , he calleth here Bathologian , In Math: cap. vi . Hom. xix . loquacite , that is , bablynge or muche spekynge , which we than verely vse , when we aske of God thynges that are not profitable for vs , as for an example , that we shoulde obtayne power & glory , & that we shoulde ouercome our enemies , & that we should abound with many rytches , to conclude , whan we aske those thynges , the should profyt vs nothynge at all . For he knoweth what so euer we haue nede . Moreouer he semeth vnto me to forbyd longe prayers . Yea verely , long I saye , not in tyme but in the multitude & prolixite or length of wordes . Colos. iiii . We must perseuer in askynge those thynges that are profitable . Continue , sayth he , in prayer . For y● LORDE hymselfe also sendeth vs to the example of that wydowe & of the vnmercyfull & cruel Iudge , Luke . x●iii that he should commend the diligente continuaunce of prayer by the importunite of her interpellacion & hertye request . Luke . xi . And whan he saythe that a certayne man came vnto his frende , whan it was very late in the nyghte , & that he raysed hym beyng a slepe out of his bed , yea & that he deserued this thyng not so much for familiarite & acquayntance sake , as for sedulite & careful diligence : He wylled none other thynge , than that he should be called vpon continually . Yet he dyd not commaunde that they shoulde brynge vnto him a prayer of a thousande verses longe , & recyte y● vnto hym . For this hathe he alredy reproued . For they thyncke that in theyr muche speakynge they shoulde be herd . Mat. vi . But your father , sayeth he , knoweth , what ye haue nede , before ye aske . But thou wylte saye , If he knoweth , wherfore than nede we to praye ? Mark 〈◊〉 well . Uerely not the thou shouldeste teach God , but that thou shouldeste make hym good vnto the , that thou shouldest be acquaynted wyth hym , by reason of thy frequent & often spekynge vnto hym , that y● shouldest h●mble thy selfe in prayeng , & that thou shouldest oftentymes remember thy synnes .

Hytherto haue I recyted the wordes of S. Iohn Chrisostome , which as they condemne the vnfruytefull bablynge & vayne ianglynge of wordes vaynly & causses prolated , so do they hyghlye commende & approue the feruent continuaunce of prayenge . So that hereof it is euident , that a thristen man ought to pray at al times

¶ The. xxxiiii . Chapter .

VUher as some man wyll saye per aduenture that it is not possible for men to praye at all tymes , seynge that diuers other affayres and businesses muste also be done of them so longe as they lyue in this worlde , as eatynge , drynkynge , slepyng . &c. & men must also labour for theyr lyuynge , euery man accordyng to his vocacion & callynge , which thynges all must nedes be an impedyment & let to the continuall exercyse of prayer : I wyl in few wordes declare how a christen man maye praye without ceasynge at all tymes accordyng to the precepte of Christe and the Apostle Saynt Paule .

How we may praye at all tymes and 〈◊〉 ceasyng . Some expositoures of the holye Scrypture wryte that to praye all waye & without ceasyng , is nothing els than to pray seriously , earnestly & diligently after the example of the wydowe , Luk. xviii . which woulde neuer leaue cryenge & callynge vpon the vnrighteous Iudge , vntyll he had hearde her request , that she myght be reuenged of her aduersarye . They saye it is a trope called Hyperbole , so that he is counted to praye alway and with out ceasyng , which praye vsually , of tentymes , seriously & instantly , and doth not cease from prayers , vntyll he hath obtayned that , Esa. lviii . which he asketh . After that manner is this spoken : Cry , cease not , lyfte vp thy voyce as a Trompe .

Some saye that to praye alway & not to cease , is thorowe out al our lyfe , feruentely to desyre that hyghe goodnes , which is promysed vs in the worlde to come . After this sorte , say , they , what soeuer men do in this lyfe , whether they eate , dryncke , sleape worke , talke , bargayne , studye , meditate . &c. so longe as this celestiall desyre remayne in them , all theyr whole lyfe is a certayne perpetual prayer . De moda ora●●i . The perpetual study of lyuyng godly , sayeth Erasmus , is a continuall prayer . And Beda sayth , he prayeth alwaye , that doth good thynges alway neyther dothe he cease to praye , but 〈◊〉 he ceaseth to be righteous .

Other affyrme that to praye without ceasyng , is feruently & with an ardente mynde to praye at certayne houres destinated & appoynted vnto prayer . Uerely all theise exposicions , in asmuch as they be godly , are not to be reiected nor caste awaye . Therfore seyng that we can not for our imbecill●●e , weaknes & imperfeccion alwaye & withoute ceasyng pray vnto God , yet , besydes the godly meditacion of celestiall thynges in our mynde , & the perpetuall desyre of lyuyng innocently , which ought neuer to departe from a Christen brest , Certeyne houres appoynted euery day for prayer that hath the feare of God before her eies we ought to prescrybe & appoynt vnto our selues certaine peculiare houres euery day which should not passe awaye without prayer , & which should haue the whole affectes of the mynd vtterly occupied in this behalfe . And whan those houres shall come , than ought we to laye asyde all m●dane affayres & worldly businesses , & wholly to gyue our selues to deuout meditacion , & diuyne contemplacion of celestiall thynges . Than ought we feruentely to praye with the herte and mynd , & so with all humilite to behaue our selues , as though god were ther present , & we spake vnto him face to face , ye than ought we to watche , as the Scripture admonysshe the , Mat. xxvi . that is , so take hede & cast all pereis , that oure aduersary the dyuell , which goeth about lyke a rorynge Lyon , i. Pet. v. seakyng whome he may deuour , do not once drawe away our myndes from talkynge wyth God , but that quietly and attentely we maye be occupied in offerynge vp our peticions vnto GOD at that tyme of prayer .

¶ The. xxxv . Chapter .

ANd bycause no man shoulde be offended with the obseruaunce & appoyntment of certayne houres vnto prayer , as a thynge supersticious & repugnant to the christen liberte : I wyll shewe that dyuers holye men had theyr certayn houres also , wherin they vsed custumably to pray . ●● . cxviii . We reade that Dauid dyd praye & gyue thankes vnto God seuen tymes in a daye . His wordes are these : Seuen tymes in a day haue I gyuen prayse vnto the for the iudgementes of thy righteousnes . What seuen tymes in a daye these were , all are not manyfest in the holye scripture , but some are , whiche I wyll here reherse .

As touchynge the mornynge he sayeth , O LORDE early shalt thou heare my voyce , Psal. v. betymes in the mornyng shall I make my prayer vnto the , & I shall se that I haue obtayned my prayer . Psal. ci . Nowe for the tyme of his repaste he sayeth , as asshes dyd I eate my bread & my dryncke dyd I myngle with wepynge . Thoughe here he make the none euydente mencion of Prayer , yet it is not to be doubted , but that in this his great sorowe , he also vsed at that present , prayers vnto God . As for his prayer at nyght , we read on this manner , Psal. ciiii . let my prayer , sayth he , be directed vnto the as frankensence in thy syghte , the lyftynge vp of my handes as an euenyng sacrifice . Psal. vi . Agayne he sayth , I shal wash euery nyght my bed , yea euen with my teares wyll I water my bed . That he prayed to God at mydnyght also , it is manifeste by theyse wordes , At myddenyght , sayth he , dyd I ryse to gyue prayse vnto the.

Of these Scriptures aforsayd it is euident that Dauid prayed vnto God customably these four times besides other , Psa. cxviii . that is , in the mornyng , at his dynner , in the euenynge , and at mydnyght , which all be very conuenient tymes for a christen man to praye . As he prayed at these tymes , so did he vndoutedly at other , thogh they be not expressed in the scripture .

Dan. vi . Moreouer we read that Daniel vsed customably to praye euery day thre tymes vnto his LORDE GOD . The Euangelistes also declare , that Christ preachynge & workynge myracles all the whole daye , Luk. v. vsed often tymes to spende the whole nyght in prayenge vnto his father . Act. iii. S. Luke also in the Actes of the Apostles declareth that Peter & Iohn went vp into the Temple at the nynthe houre of prayer . Wherof it doth euidently appeare that in the olde lawe they had certayne tymes appoynted in the whiche they should praye . Haue not we also amonge vs nowe a dayes certayne tymes appoynted for to come togyther & to pray in the temples ? What do we lerne of all these thynges ▪ Uerely that a Christen man maye lawfully & without ony scripule of conscience appoynt certayne houres in the day , wherin he may exercyse himselfe deuoutly in godly prayer & spirituall meditacion . Not● : But I would he shoulde not so supersticiously be addicte to those houres , that he should thynke it synne to breake ony of them , whan occasion of necessite is gyuen ( for that were a wycked thyng ) but to vse those tymes as meanes for to bryng hym vnto a more feruent manner of prayeng continually . Mat. ii . For the Sabboth daye was made for man , & not man for the Sabboth day . The kyngedome of God shall not come with obseruacion & loking for , Luk. xvii : sayth Christ neyther shall they saye , behold here , or behold there , for loo , the kyngdom of god is within you . Ye obserue dayes monethes , Gala. iiii . tymes and yeares , sayth Paule , I am afearde of you , vnlesse I haue laboured in vayne for you . Agayn , let no man iudge you in meat or drynke , or in parte of an holy day , or of the feast of the newe Moone , or of the Sabbothes , which are the shadowes of thynges to come , Col. ii . but the body of Christ.

¶ The. xxxvi . Chapter .

SEynge than that the appoyntement of certayne houres for praier is very commendable , yea & necessary for the traynynge vp of oure selues in the godlye exercyse of prayer ( so that supersticious obseruaunce be absent ) it shall be much decent and prayse worthy for euery man to appoynte hymselfe such certayne houres euery daye for to praye , as wherin he shall perceyue that he maye be moost quiet , & moost apte to talke with God in his prayers . And althoughe euery Christen man knowethe what tyme is best for hym to praye ( in as much as the vnccion of God techeth them all thynges , i. Ioan. ii . & they haue no nede that any man shoulde teach them ) yet I wyll here assigne suche houres to pray , as I maye thynke to be moost conuenient & apte to prayer , & that not only bycause they seme fytte in my conceyte , but rather in asmuche as I se those same houres approued of godlye learned men , as moost fyttyng and apte vnto the true exercise of prayer .

Dauid in his Psalmes wrytethe on this manner , Psa. lilii . I wyll cry to God , & the LORDE shall saue me . At nyght & in the mornyng & at middaye shall I praye hertelye , & he shall heare my voyce . Note whan we ought to pray vnto God . Here Dauid prescribeth thre solemne tymes , whan a man oughte of dutie euery day to pray . At night when he goeth to bed , in the morninge whan he ryseth , & at mydday whan he goeth to meate . He that leaue the God vnsaluted with his prayers at these thre tymes , verely he is muche estraunged from the manners of a true Christen man , as I maye leaue of to speake of his ingratitude & vnkyndnes towarde oure LORDE GOD .

Libro de virginitate . S. Ambrose appoynte the mo tymes of prayenge : Solemne prayers sayth he , ought to be made with thanckes geuynge whan we ryse from slepe , when we go forth to oure businesse , when we make redy to take our meat and whan we haue taken our meat & when we go to bed . Would God that all men would followe the doctryne of this moost holy & catholyke Doctor . Than shoulde all thynges be replenyshed with the blessynge of God more plenteously than they are now a dayes . De oratione . Det. ii . S. Iohn Chrisostome differeth not from this , where he sayeth , we must whan we ryse out of our beddes preuent the sonne with the worshyppynge of God , & whan we come to the table , & whan we should slepe . Yea at euerye houre oughte we to offer a lyuysh prayer vnto God , and to runne an equall course with the daye , & in the tyme of Wynter to spend also the moost part of the nyght in prayers & bowing our knees with much feare to gyue attendaunce to prayer , recounting our selues blessed , whan we thus worshyp God . Tel me how dareste thou loke vpon the Sonne , Mark well . whan thou dost not worshyp hym , that sent that mooste swete & confortable lyght ? How shalt thou vse the table , & not worshyp the gyuer & supeditatour of so great good thiges ? With what hope goest thou to the tyme of the night , what manner of slepes doste thou loke for , when thou doste not confyrme , make strong & defend thy selfe with prayers , but wythout ony watch comest to slepe lyke a miser & wretche , redy to faull into the captiuitie & bondage of the moost vngracious diuels , which continually go about waytyng the tyme , that they maye quickely catche any man that is bare , & not defensed with prayer ? which whan they se vs enarmed with prayers , runne backe streight wayes as theues & malefactoures , which se a swearde hanged vp at the hande of the Soldiour . But if it chanseth that any man be bare & not weponed with prayer , than is he streyght waye plucked & toste of the diuels , he is moued vnto synne , & brought into infinyte calamities & euelles . We therfore fearynge all these thynges let vs enarme oure selues alwaye with prayers & hymnes , that god hauing pytie on vs , maye make vs all worthy the kyngedome of heauen thorow his onlye begotten sonne , to whome be glory and rule , worldes wythout ende .

Amen .

¶ The. xxxvii . Chapter .

HItherto haue I recyted the wordes of the golden mouthed Doctor , wherin we may learne not only whan we oughte to praye , but also howe necessary a thynge prayer is , & how that without prayer we can do nothynge well , neyther can any thyng without that chaunse vnto vs prosperously . Prayers in ● mornyng . Would God therfore that whan we ryse in the mornynge we would with hundle & faythfull hertes gyue thankes to God , for the slepe wherwith he hath refresshed one wery bodies that nyght , & 〈◊〉 ly desyre hym that his 〈…〉 maye haue the ryght gouernounce of vs , all the daye followynge , that he defendynge vs from all euell maye only his● , couy●●e , aspyre & go aboute those th●ges , which shall may turne to the glory of God , the saluacion of our soules , & the profytte of the Christen publyque wea●e , not once offendynge the eies of the diuyne maieste neyther in thought , worde nor dede at ony tyme .

Agayne in asmuche as we are all ●orne to laboure , Prayers before laboure . ; Iob. v● . euery man in hys offyce , euer as the byrde is to flye , & seynge that we are commaunded of God to eate the labours of our handes

¶ The. xxxviii . Chapter .

Prayers before meate . MOreouer whan we shall take our meat before we syt down to tast ony of it , let vs with al humilite & submission of mynd desyre God with oure prayers , that he wyll sanctifye those his gyftes & benefites , that we maye receyue them accordynge to his wyll , & by no meanes abuse them , eyther to the distemperance of our bodies , or to the daunger of our soules but only receyue them vnto the ende , for the which they were created and prepared . Lette vs not thyncke it ynough to haue corporal food , except it be blessed of God . Neyther oughte we to thynke that oure bodely suste 〈◊〉 commeth only of our owne pol●cy but much more rather of goddes blessynge , whiche excepte he dyd fortune oure trauayles , a●ou●e labours were but vayne , Psa. xxxiii 〈◊〉 the Psalmographe sayth , feare ye the LORDE all ye that be his Sayntes , for there is no searsenes to them the feare hym . The rytche haue wanted & hungred , but they that seke after the LORDE , shal want no good thynge . Psal. Agayne , caste thy care vpon the LORDE , & he shall noryshe the. i. Pet. v. Also in another place , The eyes of all men trust in the , O LORD , & thou gyuest them meate in conuenient tyme . Psal. cxiiiii . Thou openest thy hande , and fylleste euery lyuynge creature with thy blessynge .

Thus se we that our corporall foode is the gyfte of God , & he it is that fedethe so many , as repose theyr affyaunce in hym . Therfore oughte we before we taste any meate at the tyme of oure repaste to praye vnto God , that he maye blesse the meat that we sha● than receyue , confessynge the what so euer we haue , we al togither receyue it of his bountyous hand . Nota. O mercyfull God , we come nowe a dayes vnto the table , as though we ware Hethen , & knew no parte of God , at the of the Altare , his beri body & bloud ? 〈◊〉 dyd he this ●a●●ely for our example , that we should knowledge & confesse that what so euer we haue , we receyue it altogyther at the 〈◊〉teous & liberall hand of God . Doth not S. Paule saye , i. Tim. iiii . that meates are sanctifyed by the worde of God and prayer ▪ We oughte therfore surelye whan we go to dynner , or take onye repast , to desyre God for to blesse our meat , & to make it helthfull & profytable to our bodies , & to beleue that what soeuer is there presente , we receyue it altogyther of the grand munificence & excedynge liberalytie of God , & so to behaue oure selues all the time of our repast , not only in enioying those gyftes moderately & soberlye , but also in oure communicacion , & externall gestures , that we maye seme to sytte not at a prophane , comme & vncleane table , but at the holye table of the celestiall and euerlastyng kyng .

¶ The. xxxix . Chapter .

AGayne after we haue thus godly & soberly taken oure meate , Grace or thanckes gyuyng after dyner . let vs not fayle to gyue God herty thanckes for his benefytes , which so bounteously of his owne mere lyberalitie & great goodnes hath fed vs at that presente , let vs also desyre hym that he wyll go forth to be a beneficial father vnto vs , Ioan. vi . & to giue vs meat , not only that meate whiche peryssheth , but much rather that whiche abydethe into euerlastynge lyfe , I meane the moost swete Gospell of his intierlye beloued sonne Iesus Christ our moste gentle LORDE & omnisufficient Sauiour , that our bodies beyng fed with corporall meate , & our soules susteyned with the word of lyfe , we maye after this lyfe be moost happely fed wyth the aspecte , beholdyng , & fruicion of the moost blessed deite . Amen .

These thynges once done , let be returne to our labours , euery m●n accordynge to his vocacion and callynge , workyng that thynge that is pleasaunt in the syght of God .

For supper Note . Whan the tyme commeth that we shall go to supper , let vs with the same reuerence enioy the good creatures of God , that we dyd at dynner , & as we behaued our selues at dinner both in prayer & thanckes gyuynge , lette vs so likewyse do at supper . So shal it come to passe vndoubtedlye , that we shall wante no good thynge , but haue plenty of all thiges accordyng to our hertes desyre . We must , sayth Chrisostome , De oratione . bothe whan we go vnto the table & come from it , Ho. lxxxviii . gyue thanckes to God . For that table , which begynneth of prayer , & endethe also in prayer , shall neuer wante , but shall brynge to vs all good thynges more largely & more plentiously than ony fountayne . But I haue spoken of this matter also in my Banckette .

¶ The. xl . Chapter .

AT night whan we go to bedde , How we ought to be haue ourselues wh●̄ we go to bed . we shall before we gyue our selues to slepe , knele downe vpon oure knees secretly in our chamber , with all humilite & reuerent feare , callyng vnto our remembraunce howe we haue spent all the whole daye past . If we shall than perceyue that we haue offended the diuine maiesty in ony thing , eyther in thought , word or dede , than let vs not fayle to confesse our synne streyghtway to God with a contryte & sorowfull herte , desyryng him moost humbly for his great mercyes sake to forgyue vs that our iniquite , & not to be angry with vs , but so assyst vs with the influence of his moost holy Spirite , that we may in no poynte transgresse his moost diuine wyl , but worke all thynges that maye be pleasaunt vnto hym .

Yf we shal at that tyme perceyue that we are at debate with ony man , Mark w● . let vs not go to bed , before we be reconciled one to another if it be possible accordynge to the precepte of the Apostle , let not the Sonne faull downe vpon your anger . Cobe . iiii . If that may not conueniently be done that nighte , let vs not fayle the nexte mornynge betymes , or so sone as we may , to go vnto them that are offended with vs , or we with them , & neuer cease tyll we haue made an agrement betwene vs , beyng perfectly perswaded , that we can by no menes please God so long as we be not in loue and charite . i. Ioan. iii. For as S. Iohn sayth he that loueth not his brother abideth in death . Euery one that hatethe his brother is a manslear , & ye knowe that euery manslear hath not euerlastynge lyfe abydynge in hym .

☞ Loke what we haue offended god that daye , let vs so bewayle our syn & take suche thought for the commission of it , that we maye haue no more pleasure to do that offence agayne , but rather be made the more circumspecte ● beware afterward the we be no more oppressed with the subtyle assaultes of Satan . Let vs euery daye dye vnto synne . Let vs continually mortyfye the affectes of the olde Adam . The lenger we lyue , the lesser let synne remayne in this oure mortall bodye . Let all our meditacion , study & endeuour be nothynge els than a perpetuall care to leade a pure and innocent lyfe .

¶ The. xli . Chapter .

BUt yf it so chaunse , Nota. that whan we haue consydered the spending of the daye , we perceyue no notable cryme & heynous faulte commytted neyther agaynst God , nor our neighbour , than let vs reioyse , gyue God thankes , & desyre hym so continually to ayde vs withe his diuine helpe , the we maye not onlye continue in that purite of lyfe , Rom. i. Psal. lxxxiii but also go forth from sayth to sayth , & from vertue to vertue , tyll we waxe auncient in christ , & become perfette men in our professio●

Prayers before ●rape . Theise thynges once done , let vs than faull to prayer , desyrynge God for his great mercies sake thorow Iesus Christe to gyue vs a prosperous & quiet nyght , & that neyther Sat● nor none of his Aungels do trouble vs , but that thoughe the bodye take rest & slepe , yet the mynde , the herte , the inwarde man , may alway watch to him , & delight in hi perpetually .

After oure prayers , let vs commyt oure selues to the tuicion of God , & so swetely gyue our selues to reste . And let this be our dayely exercyse . D LORDE God , yf we would do this with a seruent herte & burnyng loue towarde God , it can not be expressed that greate & singulare commodities would ensewe . To do thus , is the dutye of vs all , but whyther we haue done it or not , let euery man search his owne conscience and amende .

Thus haue I declared what tymes I thyncke moost conuenient for prayer , & how we should behaue ourselues in the tyme of prayeng . I haue not done this to bynde & snarlethe conscience of ony christen man , which oughte to be free to serue God at all houres , but to helpe the infyrme and weake Christians , that they fyrst vsynge these tymes , & certayne introduccions , maye afterward come vnto the perfeccion of worshyppynge God at all tymes . For a christen mā●hall haue abundant occasions at all houres to call on the name of the LORD for helpe . Notwithstandynge yf ony man shall loke vpon these thynges , the I haue here wrytten , with a syngle eye , he shall not fynde them altogyther superuncaneous & vayne . God giue vs all grace to so followe them , or better , yf we maye .

¶ Of thankes gyuynge .

¶ The. xlii . Chapter .

NOwe begynne the oure worke to draw vnto an ende . I haue declared sufficiently heretofore , as I trust , all thynges that moost principally pertayne vnto prayer , that is to say , vnto asking ony thynge of God . It remaynethe nowe therfore that I intreate somewhat of thanckes gyuynge to God . For it is conuenient the we also gyue thanckes vnto God for the gyftes & benefytes that we receyue of hym , or els we maye iustely seme to be vnworthy ony parte of Gods kyndnes For what haue we , the we haue not receyued ? The wyfe man oughte not to ●●oyse in his wisdome , nor the strong 〈◊〉 his strength , nor yet the rytch 〈…〉 spiches , but only in our LORDE God , from whom euery good & perfecte gyfte descendeth and commeth downe . Iacob . i. What haste thou that thou haste not receyued , sayeth Paule ? If thou haste receyued it , i. Cor. iiii . wherfore doste thou reioyse , as though thou haddest not receyued it ? Let not the wyse man , Iere. ix . sayth God by his Prophet , reioyse in his wisdome , nor let not the strong man reioyse in his strength , nor let not the rytch man reioyse in his rytches . But let him that reioyceth , reioyse in this , yf he vnderstond & knowe me . For I am the LORDE , which doth mercye , iudgement and righteousnes in the earth , & these are those thynges that I desyre , saythe the LORDE .

Seynge than thou all our glory and reioycyng ought to be in our LORDE God alone , Phil. iiii . as S. Paule sayeth , reioyse in the LORDE al way , & agayne I saye reioyse feynge also the what so euer goodnes is in vs , 〈◊〉 ly of him , ●e●ely me oug●● at all houres to reioyse in hym , as the 〈◊〉 blessed virgin Marye dyd , sayenge● my soule magnifyethe the LORDE ; & my spiryte hath reioysed in God my sauiour , Luke . ii & to gyue to him thankes , & to synge to his name , so long as our lyfe lasteth , perpetuall encomies , laudes commendacion and prayses .

How we maye be moued to gyue God thanckes . If we wyll be moued to gyue god thanckes at any tyme , as we ought to do alwaye , it shall be fyrste conuenient to perpende , weye , & consyder his manifolde goodnes towarde vs . Fyrste howe at the begynnynge he made vs not lyke vnto brute bestes , Of oure creacion . Note . but lyke vnto his owne symilytude & Image . And he made vs not to be fyre brondes of hel , but inheritours of euerlastyng glory . For he gaue vs a body muche more beautyfull and pleasaunt in aspecte , than any other lynynge creature hath . He gaue vs a mynd ●●●rendued with wytte , reason , discre●●● , wisdom , vertu , knowledge , cunnynge , immortalite , godlines . &c He set vs in Paradyse , Gen. i. and gaue vs rule , power , & dominion ouerall the fysshes of the see , & the byrdes of the ayre , & ouer all lyuynge creatures that moue vpon the earth .

Agayne whan we in our parentes had transgressed his moost godly precepte , Gen. iii. & therby deserued eternall damnacion , ii . Pet. ii . he dydde not streyghtwaye with the same rigoure & fearcenesse , wherwith he condemned the Aungels for theyr disobedient arrogancy , Esa. xiiii . caste vs awaye into the fyre of Hell , but full gentely sent vs into this vale of misery for to repent , Gen. iii. Psal. viii . that afterward he myght saue vs , yet constitutyng & appoyntynge vs styll Lordes & rulers oueral lyuyng creatures .

¶ The. xliii . Chapter .

MOreouer whan it was not possible bycause of the great enormite of our synne , Of our fro saluacion by grace & the mercy of God thorow Iesus Christ. that we coulde of our owne power , strength , merytes , deseruynges & good workes saue & wynne our selues agayne into the fauour of God , howe louyngly withoute ony desertes of our parte euen of hys owne mere goodnes and free mercy did he promise to saue vs by his derely beloued sonne oure LORDE Iesus Christ , Rom. i. & at his tyme predefined and appoynted from euerlastynge sente him downe in ●●his worlde ? Which for our sake vnfaynedly by the wonderfull operacion of the holy Ghoste toke flessh of the moost blessed , Luke . i. Math. i. Heb. iiii moost pure , & vndefyled virgyn Marye , & became very man lyke vnto vs in althynges , sinne alone excepte . Which also after he had lyued here certayne yeares , euen of his owne free wyll without any compulsion for the feruent & vnspekable loue that he euer bare towarde vs , gaue hymselfe vnto the very 〈◊〉 yea euen the moost spite full & 〈◊〉 deathe of the Crosse . He offered 〈◊〉 ●oost blessed bodye a swete smellynge Sacrifyce to God the father for oure wyckednesse . Esa. liii . Phil. ii . Ephe. v. He suffred his moost precious bloude to be shed vpon the Altare of the Crosse to paye the raunsome for our synnes . Mat. xxvi . i. Timo. ii . He refused no kynd of paynful grefe & greuous payne to apease Goddes wrath , & to reconcyle vs vnto his celestiall father . Colo. i. O good Iesu , sayethe S. Bernard , Sermone quidam . howe greatly were we endetted to the , & yet dost thou paye oure dette ? We haue synned , & thou arte punysshed . This is a worke without example , a grace without meryte a charite without measure .

Uerely verely not the prodicion & betrayenge of Iudas , Note who dyd pure ●hrist to death . not the furye & cruell malyce of the Pharises and Bysshops , not the wycked and false witnesses , not the vnryghteous accusers , not the cruell & vnmercyfull iudges dyd put Christ to death , but we our selues , our synne , our iniquite , our vngodlynes , our abhominacion , our corrupte manners dyd slaye hym , & put hym to that moost cruell deth . We are they that dyd kyl him . We soughte his deathe . Mat. xxvi . We dyd betray hym . We dyd falsely accuse him We nayled him vpon the Crosse . Mat. xiiii We scourged his moost blessed body . Luk. xxii . We shed his moost precious bloude . We dyd cleue asunder his moost blessed herte with a speare , Ioan. xxii oute of that which ranne both water & bloude . Esa. liii . We gaue hym Eysell & Gaull to dryncke . We scorned him , we mocked him , we dyd spit on his moost swete face . We buffetted hym , we brused hym , we were the Authors of all that tyranny , which was wrought agaynst hym . Yet for the loue that he bare towarde vs , dyd not he disdayne to suffer all these in tollerable paynes , i. Pet. ii . by whose passions & suffrynges we are perfectly made whose , by whose moost blessed bloud all oure synnes are wasshed awaye , i. Ioan. i. by whose deth , euerlasting lyfe chaunseth abundantly vnto vs . Rom. viii . O vnmesurable kyndnes . What a loue hath God to vs , that he spared not his only sonne , Ioan. iii. but gaue hym for vs all , that so many as beleue in hym , maye not peryshe , but haue euerlastynge lyfe .

And as God the father gaue hys sonne Christ vnto death for our synnes , Rom. iiii . Eph. ii . Math. i. Luk. ii . Ioan. xiiii . Ioan. xi . Math. ix . Ioan. vii . Ioan. v. Psel . xxvi . i. Cor. i. so dyd he rayse hym vp agayne by his moost puissaunt power from death for our iustificacion . He is oure peace , howe than can we be sadde & heuy ? He is our Sauiour , howe then can we despayre ? He is oure waye , howe than can we erre ? He is oure trueth , howe than can we be deceyued ? He is our lyfe , howe than can we dye ? He is oure Resurreccion , howe than can we slepe in synne ? He is our Phisicion , how than can we be sycke & diseased ? He is our lyght , howe than can we walke in darkenes ? He is our bread , howe than can we be hungrye ? He is oure defender , howe than can we be afearde ? He is oure wisdome , howe than can we be ignorante ? He is our righteousnes , howe than can we be vnrighteous ? Rom. x. Psal. xliiii i. Tim. ii . i. Ioan. ii . Col. i. He. iiii . vii i. Pet. ii . Ioan. x. Rom. viii . He is our sanctificacion , howe than can we be prophane & vnholy ? He is our redemcion howe than can we be damned ? He is our rytches , howe than can we be pore ? He is oure beautye , howe than can we be deformed & yll fauoured ? He is our mediatour and aduocate , howe than can oure matters be vnhearde ? He is oure head , howe than can we his members perysh ? He is our Bysshop & Curate of our soules howe than can we wante spirituall doctryne ? He is our dore , how than can we but enter into the kyngdom of heauen ? To conclude , he is altogither oures , & all that euer he hathe , how than can we but sayle in a safe & quiette hauen ? Howe than can we but haue all thynges prosperous & fortunate ? Thus se we what an hye treasure Christ is to vs . Yf any man desyreth to knowe more of Christ , & what benefites we haue receiued by let hym read my worke of the Newes out of heauen , Searche the Newes out of heauen where he shall se Christ truly & lyuyshly paynted as alone & perfecte redemer , & a plenteous and an omnisufficient sauiour for al them that faythfullye repente and lede a newe lyfe .

Would not all these so great commodities & large benefytes , whiche we receyue of God that father thorowe Iesus Christ , moue ony christen hert in the worlde to be thankful , and to syng perpetuall prayses vnto God ? For we haue lerned here , that al our saluacion commeth only from God the father thorow Iesus Christ , Tit. iii. & that he saued vs mercifully when we were loste miserablye . But let vs beholde more of Goddes kyndnesse , that we maye learne that thankes ought to be gyuen vnto hym seriously .

¶ The. xliiii . Chapter .

ALthough by Christ we be sette agayne at lybertye , & receyue our manumission & fredome from that captiuitie , wherunto we were made honde by the synne of Adam , so sone as we are regenerate & borne a new by the honorable Sacrament of Bap●tisme , Ioan. iii. and the holy Ghost , yet in as much as afterward thorow our fragilite & weakenes we fall agayne in to synne , & deserue therby also to be● cast from the fauour of God , & to be dampned perpetuallye , yf God dyd not also healpe vs in this behalfe , O● LORDE God , in how miserable a cas● are we ? Nota. What should it profytte vs , by Christ to be delyuered from that wretchednes , into the whiche Adam dyd caste vs , yf there were not also a remedy to expulse that daunger , into the which we cast our selues thorowe synne after Baptisme ? Therfore here also dothe the goodnesse of God appere very large & bountious toward vs . For though we synne after baptisms neuer so greuously , ye● doth not he streyght wayes take vengeaunce on vs , ii . Pet. ii . & caste vs headlonge ●nto he● fyre , as he dyd the aungels , but he paciently abydeth our conuersion , Iob. iiii . & loketh dayly whan we wyll repent , and amend , as the Prophet sayth , y● LORDE longe abydeth vs , Esa. xxx . the he maye haue mercy on vs . Also the Psalmogra\`ph , Psa. ● . liiii . The LORDE is gentle & mercifull , pacient , & of great pitie . The LORDE is good & gentle to all men , & his render mercies are stretched forth vpon all his workes . Lament. iii. Ieremy also saieth , It are the mercies of the LORDE that we are not consumed . Yea he exciteth & storeth vs vp by his holy spiryte , and gyueth vs grace to repent , turne , & amende , as he sayeth by his Prophet , I wyl gyue them an herte & a new spiryte wyl I gyue in theyr in warde partes , Ezech. xi . & I wyll take away the stony herte from theyr flesh , and giue them a fleshly herte , the they may walke in my preceptes , and kepe my iudgementes , & do them . And they shall be my people , & I sh●ll be theyr God . Eze. xxxvi . Agayne , I wyll powre out vpon you cleane water , & ye shall be made cleane from all youre vncleannes , & from all youre Idolles wyll I make you cleane , & I wyll gyue you a new herte & a newe spiryte wyll I putte in the myddes of you , & I wyll take awaye the stony herte from the flesh , & gyue you a fleshly hert , and I wyl putte my Spiryte in the myddes of you , & I wyll make you to walke in my preceptes , & kepe and worke my iudgementes , & ye shal dwel in the land the I gaue to your fathers , & ye shall be my people , & I shal be your God , and I shall saue you from all youre vnclennes .

Moreouer he styll calleth vpon v● to come vnto him , sayenge : Turne & repente you of all youre iniquities . Eze. xviii . And youre iniquite shall worke you ●●spleasure . : Caste awaye from you ●l your wickednesses , in the whiche ●e haue offended , & make you a new ●erte & a new spirite . Wherfore wy●●e dye O ye house of Israell ? For I ●yll not that any shoulde dye , sayth ●he LORDE GOD . Iere. iii. Retourne and ●●ue . Agayne , it is commonlye sayde ●f a man leaue his wyfe , and she going away marieth another husbod , ●hal he returne any more agayne vnto her ? Shall not the woman be pol●ted & defyled ? But thou hast play●d the whore with many louers , yet ●eturne agayne vnto me , sayeth the ●ORD , & I wyll receyue the. O moost ●were & confortable sayenge . i. Tim. i. O moost ●entle Sauyour , worthy all prayse ●lory and honoure .

Here maye ye se howe greatly we ●re bounde to God , and howe great ●hanckes we ought to gyue hym , se●ng that he so greatly desyreth oure ●elth , lyfe & saluacion , & wyllethe by no meanes our decaye , death & damnacion . He is the gentle father , which ioyefully receyueth agayne his loste sonne , Luke . xv . & moost louyuglye enbrase the● hym . He is that shepehearde , whiche bryngeth home agayne on his shoul● ders , that shepe that was wandered awaye . Mat. ix . He is that Phisicion , the healeth the sycke & diseased . He is the Sauiour , which came not to call the righteous but synners vnto repentaunce He is that helper , Mat. xi . whiche dayly cryeth , come vnto me all ye that labour & are laden , and I shall refresh you . Seke therfore the LORDE , Esa. lv . whyle he maye be founde . Call on hym , whyle he is nygh . Let the vngodly forsake his waye , and the wycked man his thoughtes , & let hym returne to the LORDE , & he shall haue mercy on him yea but let hym not fayle to turne vnto our God . For he is bounteous & very redy to forgyue .

¶ The. xlv . Chapter .

FUrthermore who is able to expresse howe greatly we are bound vnto God for his diligent conseruacion & kepynge vs ? By god are we preserued from guyl . If we were not preserued & kepte of hym , into howe many euels shoulde we faull ? Howe were it possible for vs to be fre from the captiuitie of Satan , to be pure from the fylthynesse of the flesshe , to be kepte harmeles from the tyranny of the world , yf God dyd not defend vs ? Howe many kynde of euelles do we se dayely perpetrated & done before our eyes , as theft , murder , treason , adultrye , fornicacion , couetousnes , glotony , dronckenshyp . &c. which all vndoubtedly we should lykewyse do , Nota : yf we were not preserued from them by the goodnes of God . For the fragilite of nature & the pronyte vnto euell is all one in them & in vs , yf we be lefte vnto our selues . Our perdicion commeth of our selues but our saluacion commeth only of God , Oze. xiii . as the Prophet sayth . Excepte y● LORD , sayeth Esaie , Esa. i. Rom. ix . had lefte vnto vs seed , we had ben as Sodome , & we might well haue ben lykened vnto Gomorre . Therfore seyng that God kepeth vs from theyse great enormities , we are very much bounde to gyue hym right herty thanckes .

The benefites of God toward vs . Agayne with howe many gyftes doth he endu●e vs dayly ? What haue we , that is not his gyftes , yf it be good & godlye ? He engraffeth in vs by hys moost holy spiryte , Fayth , hope , charite , peace , ioye , pacience , longe sufferynge , mekenes , leuite , softenes , modesty , honest behauour . &c. He giueth vs helth for our body . He gyueth vs spirituall gladnes for our soule . He prepareth all thynges necessarye for this our nede lyfe . He getteth frendes for vs . He defendeth vs from our enemies . He preserueth vs in all goodnes . To conclude , loke what a moost naturall father is vnto his moost entierlye beloued sonne , the verye same is he vnto vs . So the what soeuer we haue beyng good eyther pertayning to the soule or to the body , we altogither receyue it of this oure celestiall father . What great thanckes therfore he is worthi to haue , who perceiueth not ? S. Bernarde sayth , let vs gyue thanckes to our God for the good thinges the we do , & let vs humbly say to him with Esay the Prophet . Esa. xxvi . All our workes haste thou wrought in vs O LORDE our God . Herto pertayneth the sayenge of S. Gregory : It is conuenient that we gyue thanckes alway to God , which neuer ceseth to do wel , except he be letted & hyndred thorowe the noughtines of men . Therfore what soeuer worke thou shalte begynne , fyrst call on God , & cease not to gyue thankes , whan thou hait fynysshed it .

¶ The. xlvi . Chapter .

ALthough it be so , that all nacions of the world , euen from the Easte to the West , P●● . ●xii . ought to prayse the name of the LORDE for his innumerable benefytes , that they without desertes receyue of him dayly , We Englysh men aboue all nacions are most bound to gyue God thankes . yet I thyncke ther is no Realme thorowe out Christendome , that hath so many vrgent weyghty & necessary causes to gyue God thanckes , as we Englyshe men haue at this present . To whome is it vnknowen with howe miserable captiuitie we haue ben detayned & suppressed theyse many hundred yeares thorowe the vsurped power and greuous tyrany of y ᶜ Bysshop of Rome ? Who knoweth not howe greatly the consciences of Christen menne were snarled , yea & almoost slayne thorow the decrees of that Bysshop ? Howe greatly was the Christian lybertye enclosed & stopped vp , so that no man could enioye the vse of those thynges , which the word of God determined free , withoute his lycense & dispensacion ? Howe were the singulare merites of Christes death , & the inestimable price of his moost precious bloud adnihilated & set at nought , and the Bysshop of Roomes pardons trusted vnto , & perfecte affiaunce reposed in them for remission of synnes & eternall saluacion ? What a sorte of Hypocritical & supersticious workes creptin thorowe oute Christenstome almoost , which only were beleued to be thealone good workes , and the true good workes , whiche are commaunded of God in his holy scriptures , vtterly neglected , despysed & set at nought ? Who thought it not a more meritorious acte to gylde an Image , than to cloth a poore naked manne ? Who thought it not a better dede to runne gaddynge a pylgrimage into diuers countrees for to seke dead Images , than to tary at home , & to visyte the poore members of Christ , which laye bedrede , sycke , lame , feble & impotent . O extreme blyndnes .

Agayne what an infinite mon●●●res , Monckes I woulde haue sayd , & other religious parsons , and God wyll as they desyre to be called , dyd there aryse in his kyngedome ? Who thoughte it not a better dede to put his chylde into an Abbay , & there to lyue ydlely , swinyshly & irreligiously pampred vp with all delicious fare , that should prouoke vnto Iewdnes , than to lette him lyue abroad in the worlde , & there to practyse some honest arte & occupacion , that myghte turne to the commodite & mayntaynance of the common weale ? What blyndenes hadde inuaded this Realme ? Dyd not we thynck it rather our duty to obey the proude Bishop of Rome than our owne natyue kynge ? Dyd not we esteme his fātastica● decrees , aboue the edictes , lawes , and actes of our own kyng ? were we not more redy to followe his sensuall lustes & beastlyke pleasures , than to obeye the cōma●dementes of our owne kynge & ruler ? Into what perels woulde not we caste our selues to do that rammysh Byshop pleasure ? Yea woulde God that certayne of this Realme in tymes paste had not rather had a mynde to dye for the mayntenaunce of the false vsurped power of that Bysshop , than to lyue with obedient and faythfull hertes to our moost Christen kynge . O LORDE God , what a blyndnes was this ? where was this doctryne of Christe & his Apostle become , that all men should be subiecte & obedient to the hygh powers ? This sentence of S. Paule laye buryed : Rom. xiii . Let euery soule be subiecte to the high powers . For there is no power , but of God . All powers are ordayned of God He therfore that resisteth , Sap. 〈◊〉 resisteth the ordinaunce of God . And they that resist , shall take to them selues damnacion . Also S. Peter : i. Pet. ii . Be subiecte to to euerye humayne creature for the LORDES sake , The kyng supreme heade whither it be vnto the kynge as supreme head , or to the rulers that are sent by hym to the punyshment of the euell doers , but vnto the prayse of them that do well . The Christen prynces were not had in reuerence & honour as they ought . o miserable case , & detestable abusion .

¶ The. xlvii . Chapter .

Behold in what ●lid 〈◊〉 we Englysh men were when the Bishop of Rome ruled in th●e Realme FUrthermore what ygnorancy & blyndenes was in this Realme , concerninge the true & christen knowledge ? Howe many sauoured Christ aryght ? Howe many walked in the streyght pathe wayes of Gods ordinaunces ? Howe many beleued Christ to be the alone Sauiour ? Howe many trusted to be saued only by the merites of Christes death , & the effusion & sheddynge of his moost precious & blessed bloude ? How many ranne to God alone eyther in theyr prosperite or aduersite ? Howe many amplered Christe for theyr sufficient medsa to●r & aduocate vnto God the father ? Howe many felte the efficacye & power of the true & christen fayth wherby a christen man is frelyiustified ? How many could discerne the fayned and the true workes asunder ? Howe many dyd know what they professed at Baptisme ? Howe many had knoweledge what theyr Pater noster ment , & wherfore they prayed ? Howe many dyd perfectly vnderstand the articles of the Christen faythe ? Howe many dyd knowe what the ceremonies of the chyrche mente , as holye bread & holy water and suche other ? Howe many hearde the Euangicall doctryne euer preached purely and syncerly ? O good Iesu , be mercyful vnto vs . If I shoulde go forth to reherse all the abuses & all the ygnorancy & blyndenes , wherwith this now moost free and florysshynge Realme hath ben oppressed thys many hundred yeares thorowe the tyranny of that Babilonicall strompet , Apoc. xvii . it woulde vndoubtedly make a worke much longer then the Iliades of Homere .

Englond is purged and made clene of her deformytyes . But nowe are theise enormities yea & deformities of this Realme of Englond vtterly exiled & banyshed . All false Religion is exterped & plucked vp by the rootes . The miserable captiuite , wherwith we were oppressed in the Popes kyngdome , is turned into delectable liberte . Dur conconsciēces are restored to theyr olde fredome . Christes deth is beleued to be a sufficient Sacrifyce for them the are sanctified . Heb. x. All supersticious fantasies inuented of ydle braynes are full godly put downe . The famous Images , wherwith the symple people commytted fornication , I meane , Idolatry , are iustly plucked downe , & conueyed oute of the waye . All the monasticall sectes haue put of theyr cowles & monstruous garmentes . Our moost Christian kynge is now accordyng to the verite of Gods word & his iust & right title , recognised to be supreme head of the chyrch of Englonde nexte vnto Christ immediately here in earth . He is honored of vs his subiectes , as we ought by the lawe of God & had in reuerence aboue all creatures mortall . Not onlye his moost noble grace , but also so many as he appoyntethe to rule ouer vs , we obey with all submission & humilite of mynd .

¶ The. xlviii . Chapter .

MOreouer ygnorancy & blyndenes are exiled and banysshed . Gods lawes are manifestly declared vnto vs . So that we maye , yf we wyll , kepe his moost godlye commaundementes . The moost sacred Byble is freely permytted to be red of euery man in the Englysh tonge . Many sauour Christ aright , & dayly the nomber encreaseth , thanckes be to GOD . Christ is beleued to be the alone Sauiour . ● . Ioan. i. We nowe faythfully truste to be saued by the deathe of Christ , & that the bloud of Christ maketh vs cleane from all synne . Christ is beleued to be our sufficient mediatoure & aduocate . ●alv . Rom. v. The true & christen fayth , whiche worketh by charite & is plenteous in good workes , is nowe receyued to iustify . The good workes that are appoynted in the holy scriptures , are nowe only vsed , & put in exercyse among the faythful . What we professed , when we were baptised , many nowe knowe ryghte wel . The twelue Articles of the christen fayth , the LORDES prayer , called the Pater noster , & the ten commaundementes are nowe rehearsed in the Englyshe tonge both of yonge & olde , so that nowe all vnderstonde them . Many of the Ec●●●●●asticall ceremonies are nowe ryg●● well taught & knowen . To conclude , all olde thynges are paste , & newe thynges entred into the game place in stead of them . And all these thynges hath God brought to passe by his derely beloued seruaunte Henry our kynge . If his grace goeth forth , as he hath begun , he shal make such a florynshynge Realme both in spirituall & corporall goodes , bothe for the glory of God , & for the mayntenaunce of hys Graces publyque meale , as none shall maye be able to compare with this Realme of Englonde , thorowe oute Christendome . And as his moost excellent maiestye shall easely ouercome & excell in the exercyse of true godlynes all his ●re decessoures & leaue a memorable act vnto his successoures , moost worthy to be followed , so lykewyse maye his Grace be sure , that there is reposed & layde vp in store for him in Gods treasure house the imma●cessible crowne of glory , which , whan his Grace shal giue ouer to nature , that moost gloryous kyng of all kynges shall gyue to hym vndoutedly for his faythfull walkynge in the diuyne preceptes , & settynge forth of Goddes glory .

The golden world This thyng brought to passe by his Graces diligence , the all abuses plucked awaye , the true godlynes maye reygne , who shall not than iustelye thynke , that the golden worlde is come agayne , Duid M●●a . i. wherof the aunciente learned men disputed so much in theyr moost eloquent monumentes . Merely we shall than maye well saye , as the Poet wryteth . Eglo . iiii .

Magnus al integro seclorum nascitur ordo . I am redit eg uirgo , redeunt Saturnia regna . God mought assiste his moost excellent maieste in all his godly & vertuous enterprises . Amen .

¶ The. xlix . Chapter .

THus se we howe greatlye we of the Englysh nacion are bounde vnto God for the restitucion & bringynge agayne of the knoweledge of his moost diuyne wyll , which so longe hath ben hydde vnder the busshell of mennes tradicions . What condigue thanckes are we able to gyue vnto him for this his inestimable goodnes ? Werelye yf euery one of vs , as Wergyle sayeth , had an hundred tonges , & an hundred mouthes , yet were we not able sufficientelye to decantate , singe , & set forth his prayses . GOD graunt vs once to be truly thankefull .

Nowe where are theise parsons , The aburtsaryes of Gods wor● which haue so lytle pleasure in this regeneracion & newe byrth , as I may so speke , of Gods moost blessed word & in this settynge forth agayne of the Euangelicall berite , oure only lyfe , helthe & saluacion ? Where are these Dwles , which despisynge the moost confortable lyght of Goddes worde , chose rather continually to walke in the darkenes of mennes tradicions , than once to approche vnto this celestiall lyghte ? Where are these Antechristes , which wyll neyther them selues read the Scriptures , nor yet suffer other , that woulde rede them , but to the vttermoost of theyr power plucke men from redynge the moost sacred Byble , the worde of lyfe , of all ioye , and spirituall consolacion ?

Agaynst these wicked Papistes thōd●eth Christ in the Gospell , sayeng : Do be to you ye Scribes & Pharises Hypocrites , Mat. xxiii . for ye speare vp the kyngedome of heauen before men , ye do neyther enter in your selues , nor yet suffer them that come to enter . Gerely yf we do not shortely repent amende , & enhalse with enbrasynge armes this moost swete word of god we maye be sure shortely to feale the moost greuous plages of Gods wrathe faull vpon vs for our vnthanckefulnes . And as Christe sayde to certayne Cities for theyr ingratitude & vnthanckefulnes . Do be to the Corazin , wo be to the Bethsadā , for yf the vertues the haue bene done in you , Math xi . Luke . x. had bene done in the citye of Cyrus & Sydon , verely they would haue repented them of theyr synnes in tymes paste , yea & that euen in sackeclothe & asshes . Notwithstandynge it shall be more tollerable & more easye at the daye of iudgement to Cyrus & Sydon , than to you . And thou Capernaum , whiche arte exalted vnto heauen , thou shalte be plucked downe euen to the veryhel . For yf the myracles whiche haue bene shewed in the , had ben shewed in Sodome , it hadde remayned vnto this day . Notwithstandynge I saye to you , it shall be more tollerable to Sodome at the day of iudgement than to the : So maye it be sayde to Englonde : Do be to the Englonde , for yf the lyghte of Gods worde , had come into other nacions so plenteously as it hath done in the verelye they woulde haue repented & receiued it ioyfully . But thou dost neyther repent nor amende thy lyse , nor take ony pleasure in the comming of it . uerely it shal be more easy at the daye of iudgement to Sodome and Gomorre than to the.

Let vs not therfore doubte , but yf we do not shortely repent , amend our corrupte manners , & moost ioye fully enhalse with enbrasyng armes this moost swete & confortable Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christ , vndoubtedly the fears plages of Gods wrathe wyll shortely faull vpon vs . Math ● take 〈◊〉 . The Scriptures shewe manifestlye that the vengeaunce of God is not farre from vs . These benefytes , that are shewed vnto vs , declare euidently the the plages of god are at hand . This lyght of Gods trueth , whiche nowe shyneth to al men , yf they wyl receyue it , proueth openly the Goddes wrathe is redy to faull vpon vs , yf we shortely do not repent & amende . For this is the property of God , euen to send before his moost holy word , Note the properte of go● in sendyng forth his word . as a messanger & Embassadour to them that walke in darknes & lyue dissolutely . If they receyue it , repent , & amende theyr lyues , than doth his grace and fauoure faull vpon them , & they are Gods welbeloued dearelynges , and shall wante no good thynge , as we reade of the Diniuites . But yf they obstinately resyst it , Ionas . iii. laugh the word of God to scorne , Beware 〈◊〉 ●corners of Gods word vetymes ●sal , vi● remayne in theyr olde infidilite & wickednes , than doth God ●yse v●●e lyke a fearce ●yon , whette his swearde , bende his bow , & make redy his shaftes , which shall pearse , the bodyes of the wycked , as dartes of yron fyre whotte .

¶ The. L. Chapter .

BUt come of I praye you hertely ● tell me , dyd not God , Gen. vii . 〈…〉 ●x● . ii . whan he sawe the worlde replenysshed so abundantly with synne , that it could be no more , send None to preach vnto than , & to exhorte them vnto repētasies & amendement of lyfe , or els synal destruccion should chaunse vnto them● yet for all thys gentlenesse of God , whiche desyred rather theyr saluacion than damnacion , yf they would haue conuerted , they despysed the mooste louynge admonicion of Gods messanger . They had the worde of God in derision . They continued styll in theyr brutall & beastelyke lyuynge . They gaue them selues to eatynge , drynckynge , banckettynge , & all kynde of carnall & volupteous lyuyng . They oppressed the poore people , for the mayntenaunce of theyr fleshly & insaciable lustes . To be shorte , they walked as persons full of carnall securyte , and cleane withoute all feare of GOD . But what followed this theyr wycked & dissolute lyuynge , Beholde the end of the ●●at hate Gods worde . & contempte of gods word ▪ Uerely utter destruccion . For God sawe that they woulde by no meanes amende , but styll persyste in theyr abhominacion , he repented hym , Gen. vi . that euer he made man , and shortely after sent such a floude vpon the earth , Gen. vii . ii . Pet. ii . that it ouerflowed & drowned all the worlde , Nohe with certayne other only reserued thorowe the great goodnes of god . D terrible Hystory . Whose harte quakethe not for feare at the hearynge of this Historys ' Certes it is a terrible Hystory for the aduersaries of Gods worde , and for all wicked lyuers .

Whan the Sodomites lyued so abhominablye , Gen. xix . ii . Pet. ii . that the uery uoyce of theyr synne came vp vnto heauen , & pearsed the diuynerares , & cryed for uengeaunce to faull vpon them , not only Abraham increaced for them , but also Lothe preached vnto them , exhortynge them to leaue theyr to muche detestable & abhominable vnclennes , & to take the feare of God vnto them , & the study of a pure & innocent life . But they woulde not . D abbo●●nacion . For the more that Loth rebuked than sor theyr wickednes the more pleasure had they in it . P●● . i. Psa. xiii . They delighted in theyr nough tynes , & reioysed whan they had done euell . They had no feare of God before theyr eies . Yea they so lyued , as though there were no God at all . Therfore God the ryghteous LORDE , seynge theyr detestable purpose styll to remayne in theyr abhominable lyuynge , & no repentaunce , was of uery iustyce compelled to destroye them by sendynge fyre & brymstone from heauen , so that both Sodome & Gomorre with all the inhabitantes ther o●● & all that euer pertayned to them , were vtterly cōslimed with fyre and brymstone from heauen . O dolorous spectacle , & h●●y fight . This is an example , as S Peter sayth , for all them that do vngodly . ii . Pet. ii . Nota. Oh what it is to contemne the worde of God and the true preachers therof .

¶ The. Li. Chapter .

AGayne whan Moses & Aaron at the commaundement of God , preached to the Egipcians , & myssed them to lette the people of Israel●●go oute of captiuite , Exo. iii. that they myghte come & do Sacrifyce to theyr LORD God , how lytle was theyr preaching regarded ▪ god plaged them , yet would they not amende . At the laste whan he sawe none amendement in them , Gen. xiiii . dyd not he by strong hand delyuer them out of captiuitie , & drowned al theyr aduersaryes ▪ This came to passe vndoutedly yf they would haue ben or bediēts to his voyce by the mouthe of his Prophetes , they had neuer bene plaged nor yet so finallye destroyed ▪ Beware be tymes beware . Let all ●●y●sers & kickers therfore the spurne agaynste the trueth , learne here what it is to despyse the worde of God and the faythefull preachers therof .

Moreouer as ofte as the chyldren of Israel dyd forsake theyr true god , which brought them oute of the lorde of Egypt , & ra●●ne an whore huntyng after straung gods , & followed theyr owne fantasies contrary to the prescripte of Gods worde , God sent his Prophetes vnto them , for to admonysh them of theyr duty & to reduce & brynge them agayne into the true waye . D cruell murtherers . ii . pa. xxiiii mat . v. xxiii ii . Re. xxv . But they woulde not heare them , but persecuted them , entreated them vngently , prisoned them , & neuer ceased from theyr crudelite , vntyll they had slayne them . God therfore seynge howe stysseuecked & hard harted they were , sent in theyr enemies on euery syde , which destroyed theyr Cyties , spoyled theyr goodes , slewe innumerable , & led the residue awaye captyue for theyr disobedience and ingratitude .

Christ vngentylly entreated . At the laste God sent vnto the Jewes his owne sonne , that they might repent , conuerte & amend . But hewe thanckefully they receyued his commynge , the Scriptures shewe more euidently than it nede here to be rehersed . What followed ? Uerely the vtter destruccion almoost of them all , as the Histories make mencion . Behold the ende . The ende of them was so lamentable , yea & miserable , that no man can reade the History withoute teares and we pynge eyes . Are not all theyse terryble Histories for the despisers of goddes worde ? Let vs not flatter oure selues nor make to much of our painted ●●ethe , as they saye . For surely that God , which in times paste sent vengeaunce vpon the earth for disobeyenge & contēnynge of his word , wyll nowe also poure oute his fearce plages vpon vs , yf we repent not shortely & amende . For after so great light of Gods worde , yf it be not thanckefully receyued , obeyed & followed , commeth vndoubtedly alwaye a great & greuous plage , whiche is ineuitable and can not be exchewed , excepte the amende . Let us therfore with fo●efull hertes receyue the doctryne of God , fe●eah meanes possible to pro 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereafter , practyse it in 〈…〉 wyn other me to it by out godly conuersacion . Let vs not onlye say●● 〈◊〉 we are fauourers of Gods wor●● crake much of fayth , but let vs 〈◊〉 soberly , Tit. ii . righteously , & godly in this present world . For to read the Scriptures , to talke of them to best our selues of fayth is not●ig to the purpose , Mark this well . excepte we indicate oure lyfe dayly accordynge to Gods worde . Ioan. xiiii He tha● hath my commaundementes , sayth Christ , & ●epeth them he it is that loue the me . Math. vii Not e●erye one that sayth to me , LORDE , LORDE shall enter into the kyngēdome of heuen , but he that doth the wyll of my father , which is in heauen .

These thynges haue I spoken to admonyshe men of theyr dutye , that they maye not abuse this singulare benefyte of Gods word , that is now come amonge vs , but lyue worthy the kyndenes of God , gyue hym righte herty thanckes , & to be haue them selues , that God maye not take awaye this his inestimable benefyte from vs , but rather encrease it vnto the glory of his name , & the helth of our soules . But it wyll returne to our matter , and make an ende .

¶ The. Lii . Chapter .

THus se we what greate causes ●e ●aue to gyue thanckes vnto God , A brefere hearfall of Gods benefites toward be : yf foe consyder hys many solde benefytes , wher with he garnyssheth vs dayly . He made vs fyrst of all not only lyke vnto his owne ymage , but also , when thorowe the synne of Adam we were loste and damned , he saued vs ag●●yne freely of his great mercy by Iesus Christe . And thoughe we synne sometyme thorowe the fragelite of humayne nature contrary to oure promyse at Baptisme , yette ir● hath mercy for vs , layd vp in store , if we faythfully repent , & amende our lyues . He preserueth vs from many greuous enormities , into the which we shoulde vndoubtedly faul● headlonge , yf we were not preserued by his goodnes . He lyke a moost gentle father sedeth vs , & sendeth vs al thiges necessary for this indygent and poore lyfe . He appoyntethe his holy Jungell to wayte vpon vs , that we maye be oppressed with no euell . He gyuethe vs fauoure in the syghte of men . He sendeth to vs helth both of body & soule . Ioan. xvi . He grauntethe vs what so euer we aske in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ. What would we haue more ? Yea & that , whiche to a christen man would be moost acceptable and thanckefull , he hath prepared for vs an euerlastynge kyngedome . full of all ioye , Esa. lxiiii . pleasure , glory & selicite . Do herte can thyncke , no tunge can expresse , no eye hath sene those treasures , that God hathe prepared for so many as loue hym . i. Cor. iii. Who hathe euer had so bounteous a LORDE , & so gentle and louinge a father ? Rom. v. He loueth , where he was not loued . He enrycheth , where he was hated . He dothe good to them , that despysed his moost holy wyll . D burnyng charite . D in comparable loue . D kyndenes vnspekable . Do we wyll we nowe recompense this excedyng bentgnite of this our bounteous & celestiall father ? What doth he requyre of vs agayne ? Byldynge of monasteries ? Gaddyng on pylgrimage ? Offringe vp of candels ? Payntynge of Tabernacles ? Gyldynge of Images ? Prayeng of long Prayers wythoute the affecte of the mynde ? May verely . For he hath no nede of oure goodes , Psal. iv . as the Psalmographe sayth . What than ? Forsothe thanckes gyuynge . He the gyueth hartye thanckes to God for the benefytes receyued , maketh God amendes largely . Thankes ●yuyng . Note . He only desireth of his faith full people , laudes , prayses & thankes gyuynge . Only he desyreth that we be not vnthanckefull , nor walke vnworthye his benignitie & kyndenes . For as S. Bernarde sayth , In cantica Ser: 〈◊〉 there is nothynge the displeaseth God so much chefely in the Chyldren of grace , as ingratitude and vnthanckefulnes . That he delyghteth so much in prayses & thankes gyuynge it is euident , seynge that he distayneth not in his holy Scrypture to call at a S●cry●●●e , as though he should say , prayse & thanckes gyuynge is that , that pleseth me , & gyueth the swete fauoure before my presence . But let vs heare the Scriptures . The Sacrifyce of prayse , saythe he , shall honoure me . And a lytle before . Psal. xlix . Offer to God the sacrifyce of prayse , & paye to the moost hygheste thy nowes . Caull on me in the daye of thy trouble , & I wyll delyuer the , & thou shalte honoure me . Do not all these sayenges declare manifestly that the moost acceptable sacryfyce to God is the Sacryfyce of prayse & thanckes gyuynge ? Canue ther be a greater glory gyuen to god , than to confesse that all goodnes and vertu commeth only of him , & the ther fore al honour , laude , encomy , praise & glorye oughte to be gyuen to hym alone ? Vndoubtedly the Sacrifyce of thanckes gyuynge please the God hyghly . Neyther is theyr any worke that we can do , that so hyghly exalteth the name of God , as this Sacrifyce of thankes gyuynge , or wherin God delyghteth more . If there had , vndoubtedly it had bene prescribed & set forth in the moost sacred Byble Dyd not all the holy Patriarches & so many as were before Christes commynge offer this Sacrifyce of thanckes gyuynge to God , as a thynge to to him moost welcome & acceptable ? And although they also at diuers tymes offered externall sacrifyces , yet were these none other thynge than a testimony & witnesse of theyr inward Sacrifice , which they offred in their herte , praysynge the name of oure LORDE God . Mat. xi . Luke . x. Dyd not Christe also & his Apostles , as we reade in the holy Scriptures , offer this kind of sacrifyces to our heauenvly father ? And as they dyd thus , so in lyke manner do they exhorte vs euer to be thankefull to God & to syng contynuall prayses to his moost blessed name . Colo. iii. S. Paule sayth , what so euer ye do in worde & dede , do all thynges in the name of the LORDE Iesu , gyuynge thanckes to God & the father by him . Agayn : Be ye thankefull . Also in another place , gyue thanckes alwaye for all thynges in the name of oure LORDE Iesu Christe to God & the father . Ephe. v. To the Hebrues also be wryteth on this manner . By hym , Heb. xiii . he meaneth Christe , do we offer the Sacryfyce of prayse all waye to God , that is to say , the fruite of the lyppes , that gyue glory to his name . Thus se we how diligent the holy scripture is , for to moue vs vnto this sacrifyce of thankes gyuing , as a thynge very pleasaunt , & much acceptable to the diuyne maieste . But lette vs heare , what S. Austen sayth , the we beynge instructed both with the holy scriptures , & also with authoryties of the aunciente Doctors , maye the soner be moued for to gyue god herty thankes at all times .

¶ The. Liii . Chapter .

OFfer to God , In Pl. xlix sayth he , the sacrifyce of prayse . I maye come to myselfe , where I shall fynde that I maye offer . I maye come to my selfe , for in my selfe shall I fynde the immolacion & offerynge of prayse . Thy Altare is thy conscience . Offer therfore to God the Sacrifyce of prayse . Mark 〈◊〉 We nede not take ony thought , there is no cause why we shoulde go vnto Arabia , to seke trākenfence , or to fetche the packes of the couetous occupyer . For god seketh of vs the sacrifyce of prayse . Luke . xix . This sacrifyce of prayse had Zacheus in his patrimony , had the widowe in her closet , had a certayne poore hostes . I knewe not what she was , ●ii . Re. xiii . in her tune . Offer thou therfore to God the sacrifyce of prayse . This is the offring , Psa. xlix . this is the sacrifyce to gyue thanckes vnto hym , of whome thou hast , what so euer good is , and thorowe whose mercye is forgyuen , what soeuer euell is thyne . Offer to God the sacrifyce of prayse , and pay to the moost hyghest thy prayers . For with this sauour is god delighted

Behold how this moost holy Doctor inculketh & bete●h in styll the sacrifyce of prayse & thanckes gyuyng we sayth , that we nede seke none other gyfte or present to brynge vnto god but only the sacrifyce of prayse of thanckes gyuynge . For in that aboue al other hath God pleasure . The Psalmograph sayth , Psal. lvi . thy vowes , O God , are within me , whiche I shall pay vnto the , I meane prayses & thankes gyuynge vnto the. For thou hast delyuered my soule from death , & my fete from slydynge . Psa. cxv . Agayne , I shall offer vnto the , the Sacrifyce of prayse , and caull on the name of the LORDE . Psa. xxxiii . Also in another place , I wyl magnifye the LORDE at all tymes , & his prayse shal euer be in my mouth as though he should saye , there shall no tyme passe awaye , whyther it be troublous or merye , wherin I shall not prayse the LORD . Both my youthe & my age shal be bent to the prayse of hym . Hereof may we lerne to prayse our LORDE God at euery momente .

¶ The. Liiii . Chapter .

THere oughte no vyce to be further from the brest of a Christen man , then ingratitude & vnthanckefulnes . For as S. Bernarde fayth , In Cant● Ser. ● . ingratitude is the enemy of the soule the vtter puttynge awaye of merytes , the dispersion of vertues , the perdicion & losse of benefites , the fyre the burneth & drieth vp the fountayne of godlynes , the dewe of mercye , and the sloudes of grace .

If we gyue oure seruauntes ony thynge , they render vnto vs ryghte herty thanckes for it . Is it not therfore convenient , that we be thanckefull to hym , Nota. that giueth all thinges & without whome we haue nothing that good is ? With what forheade dare we beholde to aske and receyue ony thynge of God , and afterwarde not once to thanke hym for it ? O barbarous inhumanite . O ingratitude to much vnkynde . They that are of suche churlysh nature , are of the kynd of them , Psa. lxxvii which , as the Psalmograph say●the , dyd forgette the benefytes of God , & the meruay●ous tokens that he shewed . They were filled , yea the● were stuffed euen full , sayth God by his Prophet , & they than lyfted vp theyr herte , waxed proude , & forgat me . Oze. xiii . And therfore I am become vnto them as a Lyon , & as the Catte of the mountayne , that runneth so swyftely . I wyll mete with them as a Beare that hathe loste her yonge ones , & I wyll breake asunder theyr obstinate harte . Yea I wyll deuour them as a Lyon , and the beast of the felde shall teare them on peces . O terible thretenynge for the ingrate & vnthanckefull persons . This wyll surely come to passe , yf we put not awaye our in gratitude & vnthanckefulnes . Psal. cxliiii● Titus . i. For y● LORDE is faythfull in all his wordes , & can not lye , in asmuch as he is the selfe trueth .

¶ The. Lv. Chapter .

THerfore yf we entende to haue God the father a beneficiall fat●●r to vs , & his sonne Iesus Christ ●●rcifull Sauiour , lette vs in all thynges gyue thanckes to God at all tymes , yea and that not only in prosperitie but also in aduersitie , Iob. i. as the holy man Iob dyd , sayenge : The LORDE gaue it , & the LORDE hath taken it awaye , as it pleased the LORDE so is it come to passe , blessed be the name of the LORDE . Let vs watch & praye that we faull not into tentacion . Let vs flye to God at all tymes with precordiall obsecracions & herty requestes . Mat. xxvi Let our prayers be continuall . Let them procede from a faythfull & charitable harte . In exhortacion to prayer & thankes geuynge . Let vs aske all thynges accordyng to the wyl of GOD , yea and that in the name of Christe . Lette vs in all our prayers seke the glorye of God , the auauncement of his moost blessed worde , and the helth of our owne soules . Let vs pray for the preseruacion of the kynges moost excellent maieste , & for the prosperous successe of his intierly beloued sonne Edward our Prynce . 〈◊〉 moost angelyke Impe. Let vs pray for all the Lordes spirytuall & temporall , speciallye those that haue the regiment of the publyque weale vnder the Kynges graces highnes . Col. iiii● Let vs pray for the ministers of Goddes worde , that they maye freely speake the trueth of Christes Gospell , as it becommeth them . Let vs praye for all men vniuersally , chefely for the inhabitantes of this Realme of Englond , that they maye all beare a faythfull harte bothe towarde God and oure kynge . To conclude , let vs praye that the wyll of God maye be fulfylled in all thynges .

Whan we haue thus prayed , lette vs all tymes gyue thanckes to God for his benefytes . So shall it come to passe , the he shall not only not turne awaye his kyndenes from vs , but also encrease it dayely vnto the great consolacion and conforte of vs all .

Yf this thynge shall come to passe that we both praye feruently , and a● so gyue thanckes to God her●●●ye , ● shall not a lytle reioyse that I haue taken the labour & payne in compylynge this pathewaye vnto Prayer , yea it shall encourage me hereafter to attempte other enterpryses of no lesse importaunce and vtilite .

Which thynge ( moost gentle Reader ) that it maye come to passe , pray for me vnto oure LORD God , that he maye syng●●e that thynge in me , whiche he hath begunne , vnto the glory of his moost blessed name , ● promocion of his moost godly word , and the profyt & edificacion of his moost holy & catholyke Chyrche . Amen .

¶ Gyue the glory to GOD alone .